A practical plate-fin heat sink model

• Published in: Applied thermal engineering Vol. 31; no. 5; pp. 984 - 992
• Main Authors: Wu, Hsin-Hsuan, Hsiao, Yuan-Yuan, Huang, Hsiang-Sheng, Tang, Ping-Huey, Chen, Sih-Li
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Asymptotic properties; Computational fluid dynamics; Electronic cooling; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid flow; Friction factor; Heat transfer; Mathematical models; Plate-fin heat sink; Pressure drop; Reynolds number; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; Turbulence; Turbulent flow; Friction factor; Electronic cooling; Plate-fin heat sink; Turbulent flow; Cooling; Hydraulics; Error; Fin; Spacing; Transition flow; Modeling; Optimization; Geometry; Accuracy; Performance; Heat sink; Heat transfer
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2010.10.014
• ISSN: 1359-4311

This study develops a practical model to predict the hydraulic and thermal performance of a plate-fin heat sink. This all-in-one asymptotic model was developed for a wide range of Reynolds numbers, including laminar, transition, and turbulent flows as Re<5000. It can predict pressure drops with an accuracy within −13.87% to 8.4%. This asymptotic model interprets the heat-transfer behavior of transition flow to within −14% to 12% of error range when Reynolds number ranges from 2000 to 4000. Furthermore, this study achieves optimization in geometry with the present model. While the pressure drop is fixed at 10 mmAq, and the fin height is fixed at 24 mm, optimal values for fin spacing, base thickness, base width, base length, and fin thickness are provided. ► Friction factor. ► Plate-fin heat sink. ► Electronic cooling.