Developed and quasi-developed macro-scale heat transfer in micro- and mini-channels with arrays of offset strip fins subject to a uniform heat flux

• Published in: International journal of heat and mass transfer Vol. 236; p. 126285
• Main Authors: Vangeffelen, A., Buckinx, G., De Servi, C., Vetrano, M.R., Baelmans, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2025
• Subjects: Closure; Macro-scale modeling; Micro-and mini-channels; Offset strip fin array; Quasi-developed heat transfer; Quasi-developed heat transfer; Offset strip fin array; Closure; Micro-and mini-channels; Macro-scale modeling
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2024.126285
• ISSN: 0017-9310

In the present work, we examine to what degree the heat transfer can be described as developed on a macro-scale level in typical micro- and mini-channels with offset strip fin arrays subject to a uniform heat flux, considering flow entrance and side-wall effects. Full-scale numerical heat transfer simulations are conducted to determine the extent of the developed macro-scale heat transfer region within the arrays. We find that the onset point of developed heat transfer increases linearly with the Péclet number and channel width. However, the thermal development lengths remain limited relative to the overall channel length. Therefore, the local macro-scale heat transfer coefficient can be modeled by developed Nusselt number correlations with discrepancies below 25% in both the developed and developing heat transfer regions. We observe that quasi-developed heat transfer prevails over nearly the entire entrance region of the channel and significantly contributes to the main heat transfer characteristics, particularly the eigenvalues and amplitudes of the dominant temperature modes. Additionally, we analyze the impact of channel side walls on the temperature field’s periodicity and the macro-scale temperature profile, which we characterize through an effective heat transfer coefficient. Our comprehensive numerical data covers various fin height-to-length ratios up to 1, fin pitch-to-length ratios up to 0.5, and channel aspect ratios ranging from 1/5 to 1/17, encompassing Reynolds numbers from 28 to 1224. Two sets of Prandtl number and thermal conductivity ratio are investigated, corresponding to the combinations of copper/air, and copper/water. •Direct numerical simulations reveal quasi-developed heat transfer behavior near the channel inlet.•Short thermal development lengths allow accurate prediction of the Nusselt number throughout the channel.•The thermal development length increases linearly with the Péclet number due to the mode eigenvalue.•The Nusselt number near the side wall can be predicted by an effective heat transfer coefficient.