Session: K12-01: AEROSPACE HEAT TRANSFER I

Paper Number: 131411

131411 - Heat Transfer Characteristics of Oscillating Electrohydrodynamic Liquid Flow 

Abstract: 

The current trend in electronic systems sees them continue to develop at a remarkable pace and, thus, they become smaller, more complex, and require larger power densities to operate. Similarly, associated thermal management technologies that support them must continue to advance. The existing world of thermal management systems is typically comprised of heat pipes and loops to dissipate heat from electronics. These systems, despite their ability to transfer heat, are met with the challenge of overcoming mechanical deterioration and are often limited to being passive thermal management methods. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) conduction pumping is an innovative, low power, and non-mechanical method to pump fluids for thermal management. In addition to these advantages, EHD is also simple in design and is controllable, as it can be integrated into complex and programmable scenarios for optimal thermal management. EHD conduction pumping in uni-directional flows has been successfully explored as a method of enhancing heat transfer and managing fluid flows in both space and terrestrial applications. By designing EHD conduction pumping to oscillate flows, a system is expected to experience further enhanced heat transfer than typical unidirectional pumping due to mixing. This study investigates this concept of using EHD conduction pumping to oscillate a liquid film to observe the effects on fluid flow behavior, using Novec 7100 as the working fluid. Furthermore, these pumps have been manufactured on flexible substrates, which can allow them to be utilized in complex geometric environments. Through the use of particle image velocimetry (PIV), fluid flow results are investigated to characterize flow behavior, velocity profiles, and local vortices. Based on the results, which include enhanced vorticity, and pulsating flow, it is expected that this technology can be used to enhance heat transport. A two-phase numerical simulation of the fluid flow behavior under the influence of a bi-direction pump is also carried out. The results of this simulation support those found in the experimental study. Both sets of results continue to support the future of flexible EHD conduction pumping as a technology to augment next generation cooling technologies.

Presenting Author: Alexander J. Castaneda Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Presenting Author Biography: Castaneda is a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He received his B.S at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and is pursuing his doctorate with a focus on thermal management and heat transfer enhancement of electronics and space systems utilizing electrohydrodynamics.

Authors:

Alexander J. Castaneda Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Jamal Yagoobi Worcester Polytechnic Institute