Forced convection computational analysis in PDMS micro pin fin heat sink

Abstract

This research project proposes analytical and computational studies of single-phase flow in compact heat sinks based on segmented microchannels to minimize instabilities in the thermal system and maximize the heat transfer coefficient. Segmented heat sinks associated with high-performance coolants can be applied to the avionics of military or commercial aircraft, as well as in the aerospace area, given their ability to dissipate high heat rates in reduced volumes, minimizing material used in their manufacture and inventory of refrigerant in the system. This work will analyze segmented heatsinks based on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) with different geometries. In parallel to the present computational study, experimental tests will be carried out (FAPESP BPE Proc. 2022/03677-0) to experimentally investigate the pressure drop characteristics and the heat transfer coefficient. For the present analysis, deionized water will be considered as the working fluid. The numerical analysis will be performed using CFD solvers available in commercial or open-source software, considering as input data the same conditions used for experimental tests. In order to ensure the reliability of the results, a comparison of the numerically obtained data for pressure drop and heat transfer coefficient will be performed with the experimental results obtained by the research group. A second step will be the variation of geometric parameters of the heat sink, aiming for a system with better thermal and hydrodynamic performance for later experimental implementation.