Optimum thermal design of interrupted microchannel heat sink with rectangular ribs in the transverse microchambers

A three-dimensional numerical model of the interrupted microchannel heat sink is presented to study the effects of pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics due to various dimensions and positions of rectangular ribs in the transverse microchambers. For the first part of the optimum analysis, the rib length and width are chosen as the geometry variables to find their optimum dimensions. As to the second part of the present analysis, two arrangement variables including the distance from the parallel microchannels to the rib row and the space between two adjoining transverse microchambers. In addition, the fluid flow and heat transfer mechanisms of the newly proposed microchannel heat sink are analyzed. Finally, based on the thermal enhancement factor performance maps, the optimal dimension and position parameters of the rectangular ribs are obtained in principle. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.