On the design of manifolds for parallel channel systems

Abstract

In the design of high-performance heat and mass transfer devices such as liquid-cooled heat sinks, catalytic reactors, and catalytic convertors, parallel mini/microchannels are favored owing to their special potentials. Offering low pressure drop, providing high transfer surface area to volume ratio, and being easy to manufacture and optimize have been drawing thermal and chemical engineers attention to parallel channels for past decades. When working with parallel channels, the challenge of flow maldistribution is commonly faced which decreases their efficiency significantly. System total pressure drop and flow uniformity are two parameters that determine the system performance. In the present study, a variety of practical ideas, aiming to enhance parallel channels performance, are studied numerically. Inventive manifold designs with high hydraulic performance are created through the course of this study. The results of these designs are compared with basic conventional designs which show substantial enhancement. Analyzing less successful designs lead us to deep understanding of fluid dynamics in parallel channel heat and mass transfer devices.