Numerical investigation of curved shape fins height effect on heat transfer and flow characteristics in open microchannel heat sink

This paper explores the effect of curved shape fin heights on open microchannel heat sink performance. Different geometries of rectangular, plano-convex, and plano-concave fins have been investigated by employing three-dimensional simulation. A variety of parameters including fin height, curve range coefficient, Reynolds num-ber, and heat flux have been examined. At the same heat flux, Reynolds number, and fin height, the Nusselt number of the rectangular fin is lower than the two shapes of plano-convex and plano-concave. In Comparison of the two curved shapes, due to their geometries and fluid flow behavior, in the lower fin heights, the Nusselt number of the plano-concave is greater than the plano-convex. In the higher fin heights, the Nusselt number of the plano-convex is greater than the plano-concave. Even though at higher fins, where the Nusselt number of the plano-convex fins is greater than the rectangular and plano-concave shape, the plano-convex pressure drop is less than these two shapes. In a heat flux of 450 kW/m2, Reynolds number of 600, and a fins equivalent height of 0.6 mm, that the volume and mass of the fins are the same, there is an 18% difference between the maximum and minimum Nusselt number of plano-convex and plano-concave, by different curve coefficients. The obtained results are beneficial in designing novel shape fins in enhanced open microchannel heat sinks.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the impact of curved shape fin heights on the performance of open microchannel heat sinks. By employing three-dimensional simulation, different geometries of rectangular, plano-convex, and plano-concave fins are examined. Various parameters including fin height, curve range coefficient, Reynolds number, and heat flux are analyzed. The results show that the Nusselt number of the rectangular fin is lower than the two curved shapes. Additionally, the Nusselt number of the plano-concave is greater than the plano-convex at lower fin heights, while the opposite is true at higher fin heights.