Heat Transfer Enhancement Through Self-Sustained Oscillating Flow in Microchannels

摘要

The main objectives of this research were to understand the hydraulic and thermal characteristics of self-sustained oscillating flow through microchannels, and then to obtain correlations of parameters to assist in the design of heat sinks / heat exchangers that would utilize this oscillating flow to improve the thermal management of electronics. The oscillating flows are achieved by placing vortex generating blocks in the microchannels to create the oscillating vortices that are meant to enhance heat transfer. Experimental studies were carried out on various configurations of microchannels, with various numbers of vortex generators, and the results were reported. Also, the results of a numerical study on the heat transfer and hydraulic behavior around the vortex generators are reported.