Numerical Forced Convection Heat Transfer, Fluid Flow and Entropy Generation Analyses of Al2O3- Water Nanofluid in Elliptical Channels

Abstract

This study investigates a three-dimensional elliptical microchannel heat sink for heat dissipation in laminar forced convection. The study seeks to improve thermal performance and overcome overheating associated with excessive temperature commonly experienced in heat-generating equipment, which is beyond the temperature usually specified by the manufacturer. The objective of the study is to evaluate the heat transfer, fluid flow, and entropy generation characteristics of Al2O3-water nanofluid in an elliptical cooling channel. The numerical analysis is investigated on the structure experiencing constant volumetric heat generation. The parameters considered are Reynolds number of 100 ≤ Re ≤ 500, nanoparticle concentration ϕ, from 0% to 4% with channel aspect ratio Ar from 1 to 3. The impacts of these parameters on the maximum temperature, heat transfer coefficient, friction factor, and volumetric entropy generation are reported. The study demonstrates that heat transfer is enhanced in the elliptical cooling channel at different aspect ratios, nanoparticle concentrations, and Reynold numbers. The results showed that as the nanoparticle concentration, channel aspect ratio, and Reynolds number (Re) increase, the maximum temperature, and total entropy generation decrease. As the channel aspect ratio increases at a specified Re = 200 and nanofluid concentration, ɸ = 3%, the maximum temperature, and total entropy generation decrease by up to 62% while the heat transfer coefficient increases by up to 78% and the friction factor increase by less than 2% with aspect ratio. However, the friction factor is not sensitive to the nanofluid concentration as a coolant.