Comparative study to analyze the overall performance of upstream and downstream wedge ribs microchannels using thermal lattice Boltzmann method

Abstract

The thermal lattice Boltzmann method (TLBM) is used to analyze the overall performance for upstream and downstream wedge ribs microchannels (MC) under slip flow conditions. The thermal–hydraulic enhancement criterion is investigated to evaluate the performance of the channel and compare it for various roughness MC. In order to improve the channel performance, two alternative artificial roughness geometry, upstream and downstream wedge ribs, are taken both on the top and bottom walls of the microchannel with aspect ratio (AR) 7, where AR = L/H; L and H are channel length and height respectively in micrometer (μm). This study focused on simulating temperature profiles, velocity vectors in terms of stream lines, pressure gradients, and friction factor in terms of Poiseuille number as well as heat transfer rate in terms of Nusselt number (Nu). The overall performance of the channel is calculated based on flow friction and heat transfer rate for different Knudsen numbers (Kn) ranging from 0.01 to 0.10 with upstream and downstream wedge ribs height up to 20% of channel height. The results have been compared with previously published work and are found a very good agreement. The analysis revels that, the vortices are formed behind each upstream wedge rib, whereas they are created in front of each downstream wedge rib. The size and shape of vortices are influenced by Kn. As Kn increases from 0.0 to 0.10, the fluid circulation area becomes smaller for upstream wedge ribs MC, while it is changing very slowly for downstream wedge ribs MC; hence, the pressure gradient is also responsible for changing Kn. The flow friction is linearly decreased with increasing Kn but significantly increased with ribs height. But compared to the smooth channel, the friction is significantly increased for upstream and downstream wedge ribs MC. The average rate of heat transfer in terms of Nu is also linearly decreased with increasing Kn, but Nu increased with ε for lower Kn and decreased for higher Kn. Therefore, compared to smooth MC, Nu increased and decreased for the same for upstream and downstream wedge ribs MC. Finally, the performance enhancement (η) is calculated, and it is found that η decreased with increasing Kn for upstream and downstream wedge ribs MC. The higher performances are indicated for lower Kn as well as lower ribs height. For all cases, the better performance is noted for downstream wedge ribs MC compared to upstream MC.