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ISSN Online: 2379-1748

ISBN Flash Drive: 978-1-56700-472-4

ISBN Online: 978-1-56700-471-7

3rd Thermal and Fluids Engineering Conference (TFEC)
March, 4–7, 2018, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

OUT-OF-PLANE T-SHAPED CONSTRUCTAL-THEORY CONDUCTING PATHS: ALTERNATIVE FOR EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION

Get access (open in a dialog) pages 1309-1315
DOI: 10.1615/TFEC2018.tfh.021094

Abstract

The original T-shaped network design evolving from applying the Constructal theory to the conduction from volume-to-point problem has a high thermal conductivity material embedded into (in-plane) a low conductivity, heat generating material as "fissures". The fissures then form an effective network for channeling the thermal energy out of the volume through a small side opening (a "point") where cooling is provided. Embedding a material forming distinct networks into a heat-generating material, without disturbing the uniformity of the heat generation, is a difficult and costly proposition in practice. A more practical alternative design is achieved by placing the high thermal conductivity material network atop the surface of the heat generating material. In this way, the heat generating material can be a commonly used electrical heating pad, for instance, which is then undisturbed in its shape and heat generating characteristics by the addition of the high thermal conductivity material. The final topology of the entire system, however, differs from the original embedded design, with the high thermal conductivity material now being out-of-plane in relation to the heat generating material. This aspect can yield different heat transfer behavior between the two designs. Numerical simulations were performed to verify the equivalency of these two designs and their similarity in cooling performances. Six different networks were considered using identical heat generating volume and the same amount of high conductivity material. The numerical results show the two alternative designs, the original embedded and the alternative atop, yield very similar behavior is all cases, attesting to the suitability of the proposed alternative for experimental evaluation and comparisons of distinct Constructal networks.