The effects of longitudinal fins on thermal performance of a curved microchannel: A numerical study

In this paper, flow structure, heat transfer, and entropy generation in an internally finned curved microchannel are studied. Three dimensional numerical simulations are performed using a finite volume approach. The effect of fin height, mass flow rate, and curvature radius on heat transfer enhancement and pressure losses are explored. The field synergy principle is employed to explain the heat transfer enhancement mechanism. The second law analysis is also performed to indicate the influence of fins on the entropy generation in the curved microchannel. It is found that regardless of mass flow rate, the fin height of a* = 0.35 provides the maximum heat transfer enhancement. Numerical results reveal that the ratio of heat transfer coefficient (and pressure drop) of finned microchannel to unfinned microchannel depends on the curvature radius and mass flow rate. The field synergy principle and the second law analysis confirm that for the fin height of a*=0.35, the microchannel has the optimal thermal performance.