Extensive analysis of PCM-based heat sink with different fin arrangements under varying load conditions and variable aspect ratio

Abstract

The present study compares a modified variable height fin heat sink with the conventional constant height fin heat sink. The two heat sinks are filled with an equal volume of PCM (n-eicosane) and a fin volume fraction of 8 %. The experiments are performed for constant loads and also different power surge conditions. The pulsed heat loads are applied for two scenarios: 1. Constant load 4 W - power surge and constant load 4 W - power surge - 1800 s no-load condition, and 2. Power surge (50 s, 100 s, and 150 s) - no-load conditions of 1800 s. During experiments, the proposed variable height fin heat sinks possess better thermal performance for all load scenarios. Further, a 3D computational model is developed using ANSYS Fluent 19 to assess not only the effect of fin arrangement for different aspect ratios but also the impact of fin shape. The enclosure aspect ratio employed for the given study ranges from 0.3 to 0.8 for both the heat sinks. Regarding the fin structure in a heat sink, four types of fin shapes are adopted: square, circular, diamond, and triangular. The contour images of temperature and the liquid fraction are shown for the charging process. For the discharging process, the time required for the heat sinks to completely solidify the PCM is discussed. From the outcomes, variable height fin heat sinks provide enhanced melting/solidification for all the aspect ratios and fin shapes considered. As the aspect ratio increases, the time difference between the heat sink for the completion of the discharging cycle is reduced. Moreover, the triangular shaped fin shows a higher enhancement percentage of 2.29 % and 1.43 % during melting and 6.25 % and 12.5 % during solidification for both the heat sinks, respectively. © 2023 The Author(s)