Design optimization of PCM-based finned heat sinks for mechatronic components: A numerical investigation and parametric study

• Published in: Journal of energy storage Vol. 32; p. 101960
• Main Authors: Debich, Bessem, El Hami, Abdelkhalak, Yaich, Ahmed, Gafsi, Wajih, Walha, Lassaad, Haddar, Mohamed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2020; Elsevier
• Subjects: Cooling mechatronic components; Engineering Sciences; Finite elements analysis; Finned heat sink; Heat flux; Mechanical engineering; Mechanics; Phase change materials; Thermal management; Thermics; Phase change materials; Thermal management; Cooling mechatronic components; Finned heat sink; Heat flux; Finite elements analysis
• ISSN: 2352-152X; 2352-1538
• DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2020.101960

•An efficient numerical study of PCM-based plate fin heat sink matrix is presented.•The efficiency of the proposed model is verified numerically based on experimental results.•Detailed analysis of the various parameters’ effects related to geometry, boundary conditions and material parameters are studied.•An optimal configuration of cooling system is proposed by studying its reliability and its energy storage ability.
This paper presents an efficient numerical investigation of a PCM-based heat sink for the purpose of thermal management, that leads to determine its optimal configuration. This study is based on experimental results, where a comparison between heat sink with and without phase change material (PCM) was carried out. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of various parameters’ effects of the studied PCM-based heat sink in relation with geometry, boundary conditions and material parameters were studied. Numerical results show that n-Eicosane increases clearly the thermal performance of the studied cooling system, comparing with other studied PCMs. In addition, increasing the volume fraction of PCM leads to delay the latent heating phase and then increase the thermal management behavior. Also, as expected, increasing the input power level leads to increase the melting rate of PCM. The parametric analysis lead finally to define an optimal design with an efficient thermal performance, for both charging and discharging phases.