Multi-criteria optimization of a PCM based heat sink - Effect of geometric parameters on operational time and melt fraction

Abstract Computational fluid dynamic analysis of a PCM (Phase Change Material) based heat sink has been carried out in the present study. The PCM used is RT44HC. Longitudinal fins made of aluminum have been considered. The influence of pertinent parameters viz. fin number, fin thickness, orientation and base thickness on melt fraction and operational time have been analyzed. The critical temperature considered for the study is 54.8°C. The melting behavior of the PCM is simulated by employing the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method. The design of the experiment has been performed using the Taguchi method. By employing grey relational multi-criteria optimization technique and Multi-Objective Optimization on the basis of Ratio Analysis (MOORA) method the best thermally performing configuration has been attained through the optimum values of operational time and melt fraction. In addition to the above ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) is performed to find the most significant parameter. Based on the investigation fin thickness and number of fins are observed to significantly influence the thermal transport.

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Operational Time and Melt Fraction Based Optimization of a Phase Change Material Longitudinal Fin Heat Sink

Journal of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications ◽

10.1115/1.4040988 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

D. Jaya Krishna

Keyword(s):

Phase Change ◽

Phase Change Material ◽

Heat Sink ◽

Fluid Model ◽

Melting Behavior ◽

Base Temperature ◽

Critical Temperatures ◽

Volume Of Fluid Model ◽

Change Material ◽

Operational Time

Abstract In the present study, the numerical investigation has been performed for a phase change material (PCM)-based longitudinal fin heat sink. The fins are taken as an integral part of the heat sink and are made up of aluminum. The PCM considered in the study is RT44HC. Heat is transferred to the heat sink through its horizontal base. In order to simulate the melting behavior of the PCM, volume of fluid model has been used. To attain the best configuration with optimum operational time, Taguchi method has been used followed by analysis of melt fraction and maximum base temperature. The optimized heat sink configuration with maximum operational time has been obtained at the critical temperatures of 54.8 °C, 63 °C, and 72.6 °C.

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Transient Performance of a Finned PCM Heat Sink

Advances in Electronic Packaging, Parts A, B, and C ◽

10.1115/ipack2005-73113 ◽

2005 ◽

Author(s):

V. Shatikian ◽

G. Ziskind ◽

R. Letan

Keyword(s):

Phase Change ◽

Melting Temperature ◽

Phase Change Material ◽

Heat Sink ◽

Geometrical Parameters ◽

Transient Performance ◽

The Mean ◽

Liquid States ◽

Fin Thickness ◽

Change Material

The present study explores numerically the transient performance of a heat sink based on a phase change material (PCM), during the process of melting. Heat is transferred to the sink through its horizontal base, to which vertical fins made of aluminum are attached. The phase change material is stored between the fins. Its properties, including the melting temperature, latent and sensible specific heat, thermal conductivity and density in solid and liquid states, are based on a commercially available paraffin wax. A parametric investigation is performed for melting in a relatively small system, 10mm high, where the fin thickness is 1.2mm, and the distance between the fins varies from 2mm to 8mm. The temperature of the base varies from 12°C to 24°C above the mean melting temperature of the PCM. Transient numerical simulations are performed, yielding temperature evolution in the fins and the PCM. The computational results show how the transient phase-change process, expressed in terms of the volume melt fraction of the PCM, depends on the thermal and geometrical parameters of the system, which relate to the temperature difference between the base and the mean melting temperature, and to the thickness of the PCM layer. This paper was also originally published as part of the Proceedings of the ASME 2005 Heat Transfer Summer Conference.

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Genetic Algorithm Based Optimization of PCM Based Heat Sinks and Effect of Heat Sink Parameters on Operational Time

Journal of Heat Transfer ◽

10.1115/1.2780182 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 130 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Atul Nagose ◽

Ankit Somani ◽

Aviral Shrot ◽

Arunn Narasimhan

Keyword(s):

Genetic Algorithm ◽

Phase Change ◽

Phase Change Material ◽

Heat Sink ◽

Heat Dissipation ◽

Optimal Solution ◽

Constant Heat ◽

Heat Spreader ◽

Change Material ◽

Operational Time

Using an approach that couples genetic algorithm (GA) with conventional numerical simulations, optimization of the geometric configuration of a phase-change material based heat sink (PBHS) is performed in this paper. The optimization is done to maximize the sink operational time (SOT), which is the time for the top surface temperature of the PBHS to reach the critical electronics temperature (CET). An optimal solution for this complex multiparameter problem is sought using GA, with the standard numerical simulation seeking the SOT forming a crucial step in the algorithm. For constant heat dissipation from the electronics (constant heat flux) and for three typical PBHS depths (A), predictive empirical relations are deduced from the GA based simulation results. These correlations relate the SOT to the amount of phase change material to be used in the PBHS (φ), the PBHS depth (A), and the heat-spreader thickness (s), a hitherto unconsidered variable in such designs, to the best of the authors’ knowledge. The results show that for all of the typical PBHS depths considered, the optimal heat-spreader thickness is 2.5% of the PBHS depth. The developed correlations predict the simulated results within 4.6% for SOT and 0.32% for ϕ and empowers one to design a PBHS configuration with maximum SOT for a given space restriction or the most compact PBHS design for a given SOT.

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