Seminar: Numerical simulation of pressure drop across micro pin fin arrays

Adam James Macalalag
Graduate Student
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Abstract
Liquid-cooled micro-pin-fin heat sink thermal design and performance assessment requires an accurate understanding and prediction of pressure drop and heat transfer associated with liquid single-phase flow in micro-pin-fin arrays. This study investigated water flow pressure drop across micro-pin-fin arrays with different geometries using numerical simulations implemented with COMSOL Multiphysics ® software. COMSOL simulations modeled after existing experimental set up (180 mm in diameter, 683 mm in height, and 399 mm in both longitudinal and transverse pitches) and previously studied numerical analyses (various height to diameter ratios) were performed. COMSOL results were then compared to experimental and numerical results for validation. Once validated, 2D and 3D numerical simulation of various micro-pin-fin array geometries were conducted. Results from these simulations provide a better understanding of flow resistance and its relationship to the geometrical parameters.

About the speaker
Adam James Macalalag is currently a M.S. candidate under the Department of Mechanical Engineering at theUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where he received his B.S. degree as well.