Simulation studies of microchannel flow with in-channel protrusions

• Main Author: Lee, Derrick Yuan Yeh
• Other Authors: Ooi Kim Tiow
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Engineering; Microchannel
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/177415
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study focuses on simulating the pressure drop through a manifold heat exchanger’s microchannel with varying configurations and heights of in-channel protrusions. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations were done using ANSYS 2023 R2 Student Edition. The methodology encompasses several key steps, such as grid independence tests and mesh metrics validation, to ensure accuracy, reliability, and validity of the results. Simulations were carried out using a steady-state solver with double precision, with residual monitors set to appropriate values for convergence criteria. Simulation validation was done through steady-state heat transfer calculations to ensure energy balance. Six different protrusion configurations were tested, with varying numbers and locations of the protrusions across the microchannel. Two different fluids were used to conduct simulations, water, and a 40% ethylene glycol mixture, to study the effects of the protrusions with a more viscous fluid. The conclusions highlight key findings, including the effects of configuration and height of protrusions on pressure drop, the linear growth rate of pressure drop with increasing velocity, and the consistent impact of fluid viscosity on pressure drop across different protrusion configurations.