Numerical investigation of nanoparticle deposition in a microchannel under the influence of various forces and development of a new correlation

Wang, M., Dobson, P. S. and Paul, M. C. (2024) Numerical investigation of nanoparticle deposition in a microchannel under the influence of various forces and development of a new correlation. International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 155, 107533. (doi: 10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2024.107533)

Abstract

Nanofluid-microchannels have gained prominence in recent years as a means of cooling electronic devices; however, nanoparticle deposition remains a challenge. In this paper, a discrete phase model (DPM) is used to study the effects of various forces on nanoparticle deposition of Al2O3-water nanofluids in a straight microchannel. The results indicate that Brownian motion has a significant impact on nanoparticle deposition. For instance, when Cunningham values vary from 1.2 to 0.2, nanoparticle deposition ratios decrease from 8.69% to 3.41%. When the fluid velocity is <0.6 m/s, the thermophoretic force becomes crucial, whereas Saffman's lift force becomes important when the particle diameter is <10 nm. In addition, gravity and pressure gradient forces can be ignored. Virtual mass and drag forces impact deposition indirectly by changing residence times. Finally, a new correlation has been proposed for calculating particle deposition ratios.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the China Scholarship Council with the University of Glasgow.
• Keywords: microchannel, nanofluids, discrete phase model, nanoparticle deposition, electronic cooling system.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Paul, Professor Manosh and Dobson, Dr Phil and Wang, Meng

Creator Roles

Wang, M.: Writing – review and editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Validation, Software, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Conceptualization
Dobson, P.: Writing – review and editing, Supervision, Resources, Conceptualization
Paul, M.: Writing – review and editing, Supervision, Resources, Project administration, Funding acquisition

• Authors: Wang, M., Dobson, P. S., and Paul, M. C.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0735-1933
• ISSN (Online): 1879-0178
• Published Online: 02 May 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2024 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer 155:107533
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license