Heat transfer performance of T-Y type micro-channel heat sink with liquid GaInSn coolant

• Published in: International journal of thermal sciences 2017-10, Vol.120, p.203-219
• Main Authors: Liu, Huan-Ling, An, Xiao-Kang, Wang, Cong-Si
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: GaInSn coolant; Heat sink; Heat transfer; T-Y-type micro-channel
• ISSN: 1290-0729; 1778-4166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2017.06.008

In this paper, we propose a T-Y-type microchannel heat sink (MCHS), which is designed based on T-shaped and Y-shaped channels. First, we perform numerical simulations and experiments to calculate the equivalent heat-transfer coefficients and pressure drop-values of the proposed T-Y-type MCHS for six different entrance velocities. The simulated equivalent heat-transfer coefficients and pressure drop-values agree well with the experimental results. Further, by performing Fluent-3D numerical simulations, we perform a systematic investigation of the heat-transfer performance of the proposed T-Y-type heat sink using a liquid GaInSn coolant for different values of the entrance mass flow rate and other structural parameters. The MCHS has excellent heat-transfer and temperature-evenness performances, the equivalent heat-transfer coefficient is up to 4.7 × 104 W/m2K for a pressure drop of 2.21 × 104 Pa. In addition, the temperature difference can decrease to 27 K when the heat flux is 106 W/m2. The use of all inlets with the same mass flow rate is more practical in engineering. The performance of the heat sink can be effectively improved by increasing the number of inlets and employing an interlaced placement mode. We determine that the optimal bifurcation angle is approximately 60°. Finally, compared to the water coolant, the use of the GaInSn coolant can enhance the heat-transfer performance of the heat sink. •A new kind of T-Y type microchannel heat sink is presented.•Heat transfer characteristics are discussed using thermal resistance and filed synergy principle.•Heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics in the MCHS are studied by simulation and experiment.•Interlaced microchannel leads to better heat transfer performance.•Pressure drop of the T-Y type microchannel is low.