Numerical investigation of heat transfer in the double-layered minichannel with microencapsulated phase change suspension

A three-dimensional heat transfer model of a double-layered minichannel heat sink (MCHS) with microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM) slurry as working fluid was established. The equivalent heat capacity method was used to deal with the phase transition process of microcapsules under turbulent conditions. The flow and heat transfer of MPCM slurries in the minichannel with constant heat flux at the bottom were investigated. In comparison with the single-layered MCHS and the water as working fluid, lower thermal resistance and more pressure drop occur double-layered minichannel with MPCM suspensions of different concentrations, thus, a comprehensive performance factor is defined to evaluated the overall behavior of minichannel, that is related to the thermal resistance and pressure drop. In the presented mode with MPCM suspensions, more than 13.8% higher performance factor occurs than that of water, and more effects on heat transfer happens in the lower channel. The optimized structures of double-layered minichannel are related to the operating conditions.