Simulation of Fluid flow and Thermal Transport in Gravity-dominated Microchannel

The success recorded by the usage of microchannel in high flux cooling application, has led to several studies aimed at advancement, in microchannel fluid flow and heat transfer technology. A recent study area with promising breakthrough is the effects of gravity on microscale flow. In this study, microchannels inclined at angles 0° 30° and 60° were investigated. Using the finite volume method, numerical computations were carried out on models which were coupled with the continuity equation, momentum and energy equations. With water as the working fluid, the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics were evaluated in the form of the friction factor (f) and Nusselt number (Nu). Fluid flow was found to be highly optimized for microchannels of hydraulic diameter Dh=1587 μm, inclined at 30° and 60°. Heat transfer enhancement was obtained for microchannel (Dh=199 μm) inclined at 60°. This result illustrates the potential of microchannel angular orientation as a passive tool for flow optimization and heat enhancement.