Performance analysis of non-circular microchannels flooded with CuO-water nanofluid

Abstract

In this study the performances of various non-circular microchannel heat sinks (normalized with circular shape) have been comparatively analyzed for CuO-water nanofluid and baseline pure water flow. Nusselt number and Poiseuille number for each microchannel and thermo-physical properties of CuO-water nanofluid (viz., thermal conductivity, viscosity, specific heat and density) have been designed either empirically or from literature. Results for trapezoidal shape gives highest normalized pressure drops among all cases. Thermal performances for constant heat flux and constant wall temperature boundary conditions have been assessed in terms of normalized outlet wall temperature and normalized heat exchange rate. Results show that when thermal performance of any microchannel heat sink (MHS) improves, the hydraulic performance deteriorates. Trapezoidal microchannel gives best thermal performance in terms of normalized heat exchange rate specially with CuO-water nanofluids flow.