RANS SIMULATION OF COMBINED FLOW AND HEAT TRANSFER THROUGH OPE-CELL ALUMINUM FOAM HEAT SINK

PETRE-CORNELIU OPRITOIU

Full text: http://dx.doi.org/http://www.hidraulica.fluidas.ro/2013/nr_3/15_25.pdf

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Abstract

Frequently, advanced electronics, optics, nuclear equipment and high frequency microwaves
systems require cooling of some devices at a heat flux of about 5-30 MW/m2. To meet this demand
the porous medium of the heat exchangers has to be compressed thus the spherical particles are
distorted and agglomerated.The aim of this research is to study by simulation the effect of open cell aluminum foam on the heat transfer and pressure drop in cooling devices at the high heat fluxes. Heat transfer and pressure drop in an open foam heat exchanger, made of aluminum of different porosity (ε)and porous density (PPI), cooled by water were investigated numerically using CFD code Fluent and the results are presented.Maximum fluid flow velocity used was 1.2m/s. The permeability (K) and form coefficient (cF) varied from 2.52×10-10m2and 1276 m-1to3.44×10-9m2and4731 m-1, respectively. It was determined that the flow rate range influenced these calculated parameters.Heat flux(q) up to1.38 MW/m2 was removed by using porous sample with porosity 60%(ε=0.608) and average pore diameter (dp) 2.3mm. Under this simulating condition, the difference between the temperature of the wall and the bulk water did not exceed 63⁰C.An estimate of heat sink efficiency using compressed aluminum foam for cooling high-power electronic devices was done. The results obtained in this study are relevant to engineering applications employing metal foams ranging from convection heat sinks to filters and flow straightening devices.

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