Review of micro- and mini-channel heat sinks and heat exchangers for single phase fluids

Depleting energy resources have become the driving force for their conservation. Increasing the system efficiencies is one method by which sustainability of energy may be ensured, for which miniaturization has successfully provided solutions. Miniature heat exchangers, owing to their high thermal performance, have the potential to provide energy efficient systems. In addition, their characteristics of compactness, small size and lesser weight have attracted widespread applications. Various works on micro- and minichannel heat exchangers as heat sinks and heat exchangers have been reviewed in this paper. Currently employed fabrication techniques and different applications have been summarized. An overview of the single-phase thermo-hydraulic studies in micro- and minichannel heat sinks has been presented. Literatures related co-current, counter-current and cross-current micro- and minichannel heat exchangers have been discussed. Finally, the persisting lacunae of this technology drawn from the review have been pointed out. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.