Optimization and Thermal Performance Assessment of Elliptical Pin-Fin Heat Sinks

Abstract

Heat transfer and fluid flow analyses are employed in this study to optimize the geometry of elliptical pin-fin heat sinks. An entropy minimization technique is employed to optimize the the overall thermal performance of elliptical pin-fin heat sinks (EPFHS). The performance of EPFHS is identified by its thermal resistance and pressure drop. because they substantially affect the the thermal resistance during forced convection cooling of electronics. The design of EPFHS of different configurations are studied and the thermal and hydraulic behaviors are compared. Entropy generation rate is obtained using mass, energy and entropy balance over a control volume. The average heat transfer coefficient of EPFHS is developed using an energy balance equation over the control volume. This heat transfer coefficient is a function of the heat sink material, fluid properties, fin geometry, pin-fin configuration. The selected materials are alumium, and copper.