A Systematic Methodology for Optimal Design of Two-Phase Micro-Channel Heat Sinks

2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weilin Qu ◽  
Issam Mudawar

This study provides a comprehensive methodology for optimizing the design of a two-phase micro-channel heat sink. The heat sink parameters are grouped into geometrical parameters, operating parameters, and thermal/fluid parameters. The objective of the proposed methodology is to optimize micro-channel dimensions in pursuit of acceptable values for the thermal/fluid parameters corresponding to a given heat flux, coolant, and overall dimensions of the heat generating device to which the heat sink is attached. The proposed optimization methodology yields an acceptable design region encompassing all possible micro-channel dimensions corresponding to a prescribed coolant flow rate or pressure drop. The designer is left with the decision to select optimum channel dimensions that yield acceptable values of important thermal/fluid parameters that are easily predicted by the optimization procedure.

Author(s):  
Issam Mudawar

Boiling water in small channels that are formed along turbine blades has been examined since the 1970s as a means to dissipating large amounts of heat. Later, similar geometries could be found in cooling systems for computers, fusion reactors, rocket nozzles, avionics, hybrid vehicle power electronics, and space systems. This paper addresses (a) the implementation of two-phase micro-channel heat sinks in these applications, (b) the fluid physics and limitations of boiling in small passages, and effective tools for predicting the thermal performance of heat sinks, and (c) means to enhance this performance. It is shown that despite many hundreds of publications attempting to predict the performance of two-phase micro-channel heat sinks, there are only a handful of predictive tools that can tackle broad ranges of geometrical and operating parameters or different fluids. Development of these tools is complicated by a lack of reliable databases and the drastic differences in boiling behavior of different fluids in small passages. For example, flow boiling of certain fluids in very small diameter channels may be no different than in macro-channels. Conversely, other fluids may exhibit considerable ‘confinement’ even in seemingly large diameter channels. It is shown that cutting-edge heat transfer enhancement techniques, such as the use of nano-fluids and carbon nanotube coatings, with proven merits to single-phase macro systems, may not offer similar advantages to microchannel heat sinks. Better performance may be achieved by careful optimization of the heat sink’s geometrical parameters and by adapting a new class of hybrid cooling schemes that combine the benefits of micro-channel flow with those of jet impingement.


Author(s):  
Weilin Qu ◽  
Seok-Mann Yoon ◽  
Issam Mudawar

Knowledge of flow pattern and flow pattern transitions is essential to the development of reliable predictive tools for pressure drop and heat transfer in two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. In the present study, experiments were conducted with adiabatic nitrogen-water two-phase flow in a rectangular micro-channel having a 0.406 × 2.032 mm cross-section. Superficial velocities of nitrogen and water ranged from 0.08 to 81.92 m/s and 0.04 to 10.24 m/s, respectively. Flow patterns were first identified using high-speed video imaging, and still photos were then taken for representative patterns. Results reveal that the dominant flow patterns are slug and annular, with bubbly flow occurring only occasionally; stratified and churn flow were never observed. A flow pattern map was constructed and compared with previous maps and predictions of flow pattern transition models. Annual flow is identified as the dominant flow pattern for conditions relevant to two-phase micro-channel heat sinks, and forms the basis for development of a theoretical model for both pressure drop and heat transfer in micro-channels. Features unique to two-phase micro-channel flow, such as laminar liquid and gas flows, smooth liquid-gas interface, and strong entrainment and deposition effects are incorporated into the model. The model shows good agreement with experimental data for water-cooled heat sinks.


2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. K. Sikka ◽  
C. George

Abstract Longitudinal-plate fin heat sinks are optimized under natural convection conditions for the horizontal orientation of the heat sink base plate. The thermal performance of the heat sinks is numerically modeled. The fin height, thickness and spacing and heat sink width are systematically varied. The numerical results are validated by experimentation. Results show that the thermal resistance of a heat sink minimizes for a certain number of fins on the base plate. The fin spacing-to-length ratio at which the minimum occurs is weakly dependent on the fin height and thickness and heat sink width. The flow fields reveal that the minimum occurs for the heat sink geometry in which the number of fins are maximized such that the flow velocity as the air exits the fins is fully developed. A correlation of the heat transfer with the heat sink geometrical parameters is also developed.


Author(s):  
Tadej Semenic ◽  
Seung M. You

To minimize flow boiling instabilities in two-phase heat sinks, two different types of microporous coatings were developed and applied on mini- and small-channel heat sinks and tested using degassed R245fa refrigerant. The first coating was epoxy-based and was sprayed on heat sink channels while the second coating was formed by sintering copper particles on heat sink channels. Mini-channel heat sinks had overall dimensions 25.4 mm × 25.4 mm × 6.4 mm and twelve rectangular channels with a hydraulic diameter 1.7 mm and a channel aspect ratio of 2.7. Small-channel heat sinks had the same overall dimensions, but only three rectangular channels with hydraulic diameter 4.1 mm and channel aspect ratio 0.6. The microporous coatings were found to minimize parallel channel instabilities for mini-channel heat sinks and to reduce the amplitude of heat sink base temperature oscillations from 6 °C to slightly more than 1 °C. No increase in pressure drop or pumping power due to the microporous coating was measured. The mini-channel heat sinks with porous coating had in average 1.5-times higher heat transfer coefficient than uncoated heat sinks. Also, the small-channel heat sinks with the “best” porous coating had in average 2.5-times higher heat transfer coefficient and the critical heat flux was 1.5 to 2-times higher compared with the uncoated heat sinks.


Author(s):  
Ralph L. Webb

Conventional technology to cool desktop computers and servers is that of the “direct heat removal” heat sink, which consists of a heat sink/fan mounted on the CPU. Although this is a very cost effective solution, it is nearing its end of life. This is because future higher power CPUs will require a lower R-value than can be provided by this technology, within current size and fan limits. This paper discusses new technology that uses “indirect heat removal” technology, which involves use of a single or two-phase working fluid to transfer heat from the hot source to an ambient heat sink. This technology will support greater heat rejection than is possible with the “direct heat removal” method. Further, it will allow use of higher performance air-cooled ambient heat sinks than are possible with the “direct heat removal” heat sink. A concern of the indirect heat removal technology is the possibility that it may be orientation sensitive. This paper identifies preferred options and discusses the degree to which they are (or or not) orientation sensitive. It should be possible to attain an R-value of 0.12K/W at the balance point on the fan curve.


Author(s):  
Devdatta P. Kulkarni ◽  
Priyanka Tunuguntla ◽  
Guixiang Tan ◽  
Casey Carte

Abstract In recent years, rapid growth is seen in computer and server processors in terms of thermal design power (TDP) envelope. This is mainly due to increase in processor core count, increase in package thermal resistance, challenges in multi-chip integration and maintaining generational performance CAGR. At the same time, several other platform level components such as PCIe cards, graphics cards, SSDs and high power DIMMs are being added in the same chassis which increases the server level power density. To mitigate cooling challenges of high TDP processors, mainly two cooling technologies are deployed: Liquid cooling and advanced air cooling. To deploy liquid cooling technology for servers in data centers, huge initial capital investment is needed. Hence advanced air-cooling thermal solutions are being sought that can be used to cool higher TDP processors as well as high power non-CPU components using same server level airflow boundary conditions. Current air-cooling solutions like heat pipe heat sinks, vapor chamber heat sinks are limited by the heat transfer area, heat carrying capacity and would need significantly more area to cool higher TDP than they could handle. Passive two-phase thermosiphon (gravity dependent) heat sinks may provide intermediate level cooling between traditional air-cooled heat pipe heat sinks and liquid cooling with higher reliability, lower weight and lower cost of maintenance. This paper illustrates the experimental results of a 2U thermosiphon heat sink used in Intel reference 2U, 2 node system and compare thermal performance using traditional heat sinks solutions. The objective of this study was to showcase the increased cooling capability of the CPU by at least 20% over traditional heat sinks while maintaining cooling capability of high-power non-CPU components such as Intel’s DIMMs. This paper will also describe the methodology that will be used for DIMMs serviceability without removing CPU thermal solution, which is critical requirement from data center use perspective.


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