Numerical Simulation of Microchannel

Heat Exchanger

BY
Gaurav Kumar Vemra
(12406EN017)

What is micro channel Heat

Exchanger?

They are heat exchangers in which (at least one) fluid

flows in lateral confinements with typical dimensions
below 1 mm
Liquid-cooled microchannel heat sinks and coolers have
been shown to be a very effective way to remove high
heat load.
A large heat transfer coefficient can be achieved by
reducing the channel hydraulic diameter. In other words,
the narrower the channels in the heat sink, the higher the
heat transfer coefficient.

Benefits

Lower pumping power required (laminar flow)

Lighter weight (for vehicles and shipping costs)

Smaller size (for vehicles and shipping costs)

Longer life (laminar flow reduces erosion)

Reduced noise (of heat exchanger and pump)

Schematic Diagram of Micro Channel

Heat Exchanger

The concept behind microchannels relates to the definition of the

Nusselt number, Nu, which relates to the heat transfer coefficient as
follows:

h=

Where Kf is the fluid thermal conductivity and Dh is the hydraulic

diameter.

Negative Aspect

The negative aspect of this concept is an increase in pressure drop.

Assuming laminar flow:
P =

K
D2 h

Where K is the loss coefficient and G is the volumetric flow rate.

Simulation of Single micro channel

Geometry

We considered a channel of 180 m height 60 m width and 10 mm length

Assumptions
The following assumptions are made for the most simplified analysis:
(1) Steady-state flow and heat transfer
(2) Incompressible fluid
(3) Negligible radiation heat transfer;
(4) Constant fluid thermos physical properties
(5) Laminar flow and fully developed conditions
(6) Boundary is considered to be no-slip.

Governing equations
Continuity equation

= - + 2

=0

Navier- stokes equations

Energy equation

+v

1 2
2

2
2

2
2

Boundary conditions:

Inlet:

Velocity

: 1 m/s

Temperature

: 293 K

Outlet:

Ambient pressure

: 0 Pa

Backflow temp. : 300 K

Wall:

Condition

: no-slip

Heat flux

: 5000 w/m2

Results

Velocity Gradient along z direction

Velocity Gradient along x direction in

Developed flow region

Velocity Gradient along y direction in

developed flow region

Velocity Gradient along x direction in

Developing flow region

Temperature Gradient along z direction

Temperature Gradient along y direction in

developed flow region

Temperature Gradient along x direction in

Developed Flow region

Applications

Vehicles (transmission & engine oil coolers, marine water cooled radiators)

Buildings (chillers, cooling towers, heat pump water heaters)

Conventional power plants (condensers, cooling towers)

Renewable energy (concentrated solar power, residential solar hot water,

(geothermal power plants, solar water pasteurization)

Other applications ( electronics , CPUs)

THANK YOU