Constructal Optimization of Louver Fin Channels Subjected to Heat Transfer Rate Maximization and Pressure Loss Minimization

To obtain better fluid mixing and higher heat transfer rate in the low Reynolds number regime, various types of fins have been employed for electronic cooling applications. However, previous works showed that there are no remarkable differences in the thermal performance of a straight-plate and a channel with louvered-fins when the Reynolds number is low or moderate. In this paper, the Constructal law is applied to optimize the geometry of a channel with louvered-fins, where the objective is to maximize the total heat transfer rate and minimize the pressure loss. The selected domain has three degrees of freedom; the louver angle ratio, the louver pitch ratio, and the inlet louver length to outlet louver length ratio. The results showed that the effect of louver on the louver pitch ratio and the inlet louver length to outlet louver length ratio. There is a minimum value for the louver pitch ratio and below this value the vortices upstream of the turnaround louver block the distance between louvers and so decreases the flow efficiency. A comparison between results and previous experimental studies indicated that the channel optimized by constructal law is considerably superior compared to the standard channel in low Reynolds number regime.