| Metadata | Details |
|---|
| Publication Date | 2025-04-11 |
| Journal | Journal of Information Systems Engineering & Management |
| Authors | Aamir Ali |
| Analysis | Full AI Review Included |
- Core Value Proposition: This CFD study successfully identified optimal pin fin geometries for planar heat sinks, demonstrating that structural perforations and staggered arrangements significantly enhance thermal performance under forced convection.
- Optimal Design: The staggered, perforated diamond fin configuration (Design h) exhibited superior thermal management capabilities across all tested Reynolds numbers.
- Heat Transfer Enhancement: The optimal staggered perforated diamond fin achieved an average heat transfer coefficient (hav) of approximately 375 W/m2.°C, representing a substantial 50% augmentation compared to its inline counterpart.
- Effectiveness Factor: The highest Heat Transfer Effectiveness Factor (ηeff) was 1.55 for perforated diamond fins, confirming their superior overall efficiency compared to solid fins (lowest ηeff was 0.8).
- Fluid Dynamics Impact: Perforations induce turbulence and accelerate fluid flow, boosting thermal efficiency, while the staggered arrangement maximizes heat transfer by disrupting the boundary layer, leading to a 70% increase in the Nusselt number compared to the inline perforated diamond fin.
- Methodology: The investigation utilized validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations in ANSYS Fluent 2023 R2, analyzing 12 distinct fin configurations (square/diamond, solid/perforated, inline/staggered).
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Context |
|---|
| Optimal Heat Transfer Coefficient (hav) | 375 | W/m2.°C | Staggered, Perforated Diamond Fin (Maximum Re) |
| hav Improvement (Optimal vs. Inline) | 50 | % | Comparison of perforated diamond fins |
| Maximum Effectiveness Factor (ηeff) | 1.55 | Dimensionless | Perforated Diamond Fins |
| Minimum Effectiveness Factor (ηeff) | 0.8 | Dimensionless | Solid Diamond Fins |
| Nusselt Number (Nu) Enhancement | 70 | % | Staggered vs. Inline Perforated Diamond Fin |
| Reynolds Number Range (Re) | 3000 to 7000 | Dimensionless | Forced convection testing range |
| Fin Height (H) | 10 | mm | All configurations |
| Fin Base Length (L) | 50 | mm | Square base plate |
| Fin Width (w) (Inline) | 2 | mm | Square fin base |
| Fin Width (w) (Staggered) | 4.5 | mm | Square fin base |
| Perforation Diameter | 1 | mm | All perforated designs |
| Perforation Pitch | 2.5 | mm | All perforated designs |
| Solid Material | Aluminum | N/A | Heat sink construction |
| Fluid Medium | Air | N/A | Cooling fluid |
| Computational Mesh Size | 2,500,000 | elements | Total domain (air and solid) |
- Geometry and Configuration: Twelve novel pin fin models were designed in ANSYS Space Claim, varying fin shape (square, diamond), modification (solid, perforated, edge-perforated, hollow), and orientation (inline, staggered). The primary geometry featured 64 fins distributed equally over a 50 mm square plate.
- Computational Domain: The flow domain was set up symmetrically, extending 3L upstream and doubled downstream, with adiabatic walls surrounding the flow channel.
- Meshing and Independence: A high-density mesh of 2,500,000 elements was generated. Mesh independence was rigorously tested by monitoring the thermal resistance (Rth) convergence, ensuring results were stable and of high quality.
- Numerical Solver and Model: Steady-state simulations were executed using ANSYS Fluent 2023 R2. The flow was modeled using the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations, employing the k-Δ turbulent model, which is suitable for this type of turbulent forced convection flow.
- Boundary Conditions: A homogenous heat flux was applied to the base of the heat sink. The inlet flow was defined as fully developed with uniform velocity, covering a Reynolds number range from 3000 to 7000.
- Validation: The numerical model was validated against published experimental data [20] for two cases of square pin fins (6.5 mm and 8 mm width), comparing thermal resistance (Rth) across the tested Reynolds range.
- High-Density Computing: Essential for cooling high-power components like CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs in servers and workstations where space constraints require maximum heat dissipation per unit volume.
- Data Center Infrastructure: Implementing staggered, perforated diamond fin heat sinks to improve the overall thermal efficiency of server racks, reducing operational costs associated with cooling.
- Power Electronics and Inverters: Used in high-power conversion systems (e.g., electric vehicles, renewable energy systems) where semiconductor devices generate significant heat flux requiring robust forced convection cooling.
- Aerospace and Defense Systems: Applicable in compact electronic enclosures for avionics and military hardware where weight reduction (due to perforations) and high thermal performance are critical.
- Advanced LED Lighting: Thermal management solutions for high-wattage LED arrays, ensuring longevity and stable performance by maintaining optimal operating temperatures.
View Original Abstract
The focus of this study is to characterize the thermal behaviour of a planar heat sink with different fin patterns, namely solid, perforated, and taper fins in both inline and staggered orientations under horizontal fluid flow conditions. By using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations within ANSYS software to validate the numerical model with experimental one, the study explores how adjustments to fin designs can improve heat transfer efficiency. It confirms that changes in fin profile have substantial effects on thermal performance by effectively enlarging the area for heat exchange as well as promoting turbulence. Although the study shows that increasing heat transfer area is essential, puncturing the fin structure accelerates fluid flow and enhances thermal efficiency. Overall, twelve different fin configurations, solid and perforated square fins together with diamond-shaped ones (solid & incrementally pierced on the base), edge-perforated in addition to a hollow internal rectangular cross-section of a passage, were investigated. The main objective is evaluating key performance parameters such as Nusselt number, friction factor, and heat transfer effectiveness. The results demonstrate that the higher heat transfer effectiveness factor is about 1.55 for perforated diamond fins and 1.5 for perforated fins, while the lowest value is 0.8 for solid diamond fins.