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The main objective of this work is to design an Aluminum heat sink in a heat generating system and simulate the cooling the capacity of the sink. The 3D model was designed using SoliWorks and imported in COMSOL Multiphysics. In this problem statement, the heat generating element rejects 1W heat flux to the heat sink in the system where the external walls are thermally insulated. An air-box or air-domain is created where the flow is simulated. Thermal energy transfer in this system is by conduction and convection. Thermal balancing of the air-domain and heat sink determines the cooling rate of the system. The inflow air temperature is a constant value and as it flows past the sink, the temperature field is continuous across the inside faces between the sink and the flow channel. Also, inlet velocity is set to a parabolic profile flow (fully developed, laminar). The temperature profile, Velocity streamlines, magnitude and Pressure contour is studied in this project.
The CAD geometry course meshed at the outer walls while fine meshing is applied at the heat sink fins and the heat generating element to capture more details and accuracy in the computation.
The model is simulated and the air flow streamline field is visualized. It gives a brief understanding of the flow pattern across the channel and between the sink.
The surface temperature profile maps the temperature distribution across the geometry from the heat sink and the heat flux flow path.
The velocity at the walls are defined 0 in the 3D spatial axis. The velocity magnitude is visualized in 5 cut planes for a clear understanding a look through the channel. It is maximum in the region where the flow area is drastically reduced by the fins (around the heat sink).
The pressure is due to the flow of air past the heat sink is visualized in the form of contour lines mapped on the geometry. Max pressure is at the first exposed set of fins of the heat sink.
Velocity field Animation depicts the direction of flow of air in the channel.
This animation depicts the normal flow of air in the channel to the distortion in the flow pattern due to the presence of a heat sink in the flow pathway. The color mapping shows the changes in velocity at different regions inside the channel.
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