Experimental Study and CFD Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics in a Mini-Channel Heat Sink Using Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Software

The present work describes an experimental study and CFD modeling of fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in a heat sink with several asymmetrical heated mini-channels. The data from the experimental research were the basis for numerical calculations. During experiments, the temperature measurement of the outer heater surface was performed by infrared thermography to verify the results of numerical calculations performed in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ software. The main objective was to determine the values of the parameters tested to evaluate the intensity of the heat transfer processes. In the numerical simulations, important variables, mainly the working fluid, heater material, the spatial orientation of the test section, and the number of mini-channels, were assumed. The results of the numerical computations were discussed. Due to simulations, it was possible to indicate which parameters tested in terms of heat transfer turned out to be the most effective. Furthermore, a mesh dependency analysis based on the grid convergence index (GCI) was performed. The residuals, as good indicators of convergence, achieved low values. Generally, the data presented showed satisfactory convergence of the results achieved as a result of the computational procedure.