Optimization design of a micro-channel heat exchanger

• Main Author: Low, Choon Chye
• Other Authors: Ooi Kim Tiow
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/72276
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The application of microchannels in micro-scale systems has been proven to improve heat transfer performance. However, due to high cost and complexity of microfabrication, it is not economical to apply in many normally sized systems in industries today. In 2013, Kong and Ooi came out with the application of microscale in macro geometry with superior heat transfer capabilities and with the usage of conventional manufacturing methods. Goh went on to explore and develop a nature inspired configuration in 2016 to increase microscale heat transfer in macro geometry utilizing conventional machining processes and formulate working correlations formulae for practical implementations. The present study aims to extend the Ph.D. work of Goh, to make use of the working correlations proposed by Goh, and use a computerized optimization method, written in Fortran programming language, to search for a set of design parameters which produces maximum heat transfer under a given set of design constraints. The area of research of this study will be focusing on single phase water cooling to avoid the flow instabilities and complexities of two-phase flow boiling. This study will also suggest a set of design parameters for microchannel heat exchanger at large heat duty and competitive costs. Therefore, it is forecasted that the present study will contribute to more efficient heat exchangers which require smaller heat transfer area and lower the cost of materials and fabrication of heat exchangers utilizing conventional method of fabrication.