Numerical study on hydraulic and heat transfer characteristics of diamond-shaped staggered rib microchannel heat sink

Abstract The present study carries out numerical investigations into the hydraulic and heat transfer characteristics of the microchannel heat sink with staggered diamond ribs (MCHS-SDR or SDR). By quantitatively comparing MCHS with rectangular ribs (MCHS-RR or RR), we can understand the changes in pressure, velocity, and temperature distribution in MCHS with this configuration. In addition, the variation trends of basic maximum temperature, Nusselt number, pressure drop, and efficiency index relative to Re were studied within the range of Reynolds number 100 to 500. The results indicate that in SDR, the slicing effect of diamond ribs affects the working medium, forming alternating cold and hot fluid layers and enhancing heat exchange. By quantitative comparison, it is found that the SDR has a configurational advantage over the conventional RR. Maximum base temperature in SDR is always lower than that in RR under the same Reynolds number, and the efficiency index of SDR can be 2.1 times larger than that of the RR.