A Novel Mini-Channel Heat Sink Design with Arc-Type Design Domain by Topology Optimization

Based on the advantages of the topology optimization method, a new mini-channel heat sink with arc-type design domain topology design is proposed in this work. This arc-type design domain is used to realize the flow distribution uniformity. Two dual objective optimization functions were selected to complete the topology design, and two topology optimization mini-channel models M1 and M2 were obtained. The aim of M1 is to achieve minimum average temperature and fluid dissipation of the heat source area. The fluid dissipation was used to characterize the pressure drop characteristics. The aim of M2 is to achieve minimum temperature difference and fluid dissipation of the heat source area. Then, the fluid and heat transfer characteristics of M1, M2, and the traditional straight heat sink M3 were analyzed by numerical simulation. Compared with straight mini-channel heat sink M3, the temperature differences of the mini-channel heat sink designed M1 and the mini-channel heat sink designed M2 were decreased by 31.6% and 42.48%, respectively. Compared with M3, the pressure drops of M1 and M2 were decreased by 22.7% and 30.9%, respectively. Moreover, the Nusselt number of the mini-channel heat sink designed M1 was increased by 34.43%. In comparison, that of the mini-channel heat sink-designed M2 increased by 15.86%. The thermal performance evaluation criteria (PEC) showed that the PEC value of M1 was greater than 1.4, while the PEC value of M2 was less than 1.14. Finally, experiments were conducted for M1 to verify the accuracy of the numerical simulation. It was found that the simulation results agreed well with the experimental results.