Analysis and Optimization of Trapezoidal Grooved Microchannel Heat Sink Using Nanofluids in a Micro Solar Cell

Abstract

Abstract:It is necessary to control the temperature of solar cells for enhancing efficiency with increasing concentrations of multiple photovoltaic systems. A heterogeneous two-phase model was established after considering the interacting between temperature, viscosity, the flow of nanofluid, and the motion of nanoparticles in the nanofluid, in order to study the microchannel heat sink (MCHS) using Al 2 O 3 -water nanofluid as coolant in the photovoltaic system. Numerical simulations were carried out to investigate the thermal performance of MCHS with a series of trapezoidal grooves. The numerical results showed us that, (1) better thermal performance of MCSH using nanofluid can be achieved from a heterogeneous two-phase model than that from single-phase model; (2) The effects of flow field, volume fraction, nanoparticle size on the heat transfer enhancement in MCHS were interpreted by a non-dimensional parameter N BT (i.e., ratio of Brownian diffusion and thermophoretic diffusion). In addition, the geometrical parameters of MCHS and the physical parameters of the nanofluid were optimized. This can provide a sound foundation for the design of MCHS.

Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics of Micro Technologies

“…This special issue consists of nine articles that report on investigations dealing with heat and mass transfer and thermodynamic analysis of thermofluidic systems [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Most of these investigations are analytic or numerical [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Two of the investigations include experiments [ 36 , 39 ].…”

“…Two of the investigations include experiments [ 36 , 39 ]. The main theme of four articles in this special issue is optimization of microchannels from both energetic and entropic perspectives [ 34 , 36 , 39 , 40 ]. Other areas that have been explored include the analysis and optimization of microreactors [ 33 ], simulation and thermal analysis of micro circular Couette flow [ 37 ], and thermodynamic analysis of various-shaped micro-scale thermoelectric coolers [ 38 ].…”

Fluid Flow and Entropy Generation Analysis of Al2O3–Water Nanofluid in Microchannel Plate Fin Heat Sinks

“…In recent years, a great number of studies have been conducted utilizing innovative geometries [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], employing liquid coolants with excellent thermal features [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ], and applying micro-pin-fins [ 42 , 43 , 44 ] in order to improve the capabilities of microchannel heat sinks (MCHS) removing the heat generated by electronic chips.…”

“…Lu and Vafai [ 25 ] carried out a comparative study of MCHS with different layers. Wang et al [ 26 ] performed a numerical research on the thermal performance of MCHS with a series of trapezoidal grooves. Soleimanikutanaei et al [ 31 ] carried out a numerical study of the heat transfer enhancement through utilizing transverse microchannels in heat sinks.…”

Parametric Investigation on a Micro-Array Heat Sink with Staggered Trapezoidal Bumps

“…For a constant pressure drop, a microchannel with a 70 • side angle in the optimum state has the maximum total thermal conductivity. A heterogeneous two-phase model was employed by Wang et al [13] to study the microchannel heat sink using an Al 2 O 3 -water nanofluid as a coolant in a photovoltaic system. The numerical results showed that the effects of flow field, volume fraction, and nanoparticle size on the heat transfer enhancement in an MCHS were governed by the ratio of Brownian diffusion and thermophoretic diffusion.…”