Optimization of microchannel-based cooling systems

AbstractIn this article, microchannel systems for cooling applications such as in the thermal management of electronic equipment are investigated and optimized. Numerical simulations are carried out to study the conjugate heat transfer and flow behavior. The numerical model has been validated by comparing with analytical results. Two sets of design variables are evaluated: (Set I) Incoming flow rate and the number of channels and (Set II) Incoming flow rate and heat flux input. Response surfaces are used to represent the thermal and fluid behavior in the microchannel systems. Based on the polynomial response surface (PRS) modeling results, a multi-objective optimization problem is formulated to reduce both pumping power and thermal resistance. Two major practical concerns, hot-spot temperature and pressure difference, serve as optimization constraints. With varying weights on the two conflicting objectives, Pareto frontiers are obtained. It is also shown that an optimal configuration exists under pressure...