Numerical Analysis of the Performance of Staggered Pin-Fin Micro Heat Exchangers

The heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of a staggered micro pin-fin heat exchanger were analyzed using a three dimensional finite element based numerical model. Simulations were conducted based on low Reynolds number, fully developed laminar airflow through an array of circular pin-fins. A range of results was obtained from different configurations with varying pin spacing, axial pitch and pin height. The results from this study would be useful in ongoing work on the design of a laminar flow micro heat exchanger for high heat flux dissipation systems