Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer

MCE Assignment Brief 2020-21
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MCE Assignment Brief 2020-21
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KB7001 Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
Assignment Brief – Design and validation of a heat sink
Problem Statement
An isothermal silicon chip of W = A mm and Z = B mm is soldered to a heat sink of equivalent size and
generates heat at a rate of qc = C W (total), as shown in Figure 1. The heat sink needs to be designed so that
the chip’s temperature Tc remains below 80 0C when the ambient temperature is 30 0C.
The heat sink has a base thickness of Lb = D mm and an array of rectangular fins, each of length Lf. Airflow
at T = 30C is maintained through channels formed by the fins and a cover plate, and for a convection
coefficient of h = E W/m2K, a minimum fin spacing of 3 mm is dictated by limitations on the flow pressure
drop. The solder joint has a thermal contact resistance of R”t,c = F m2  K/W.
Figure 1. Finned heat sink
Design constraints
1. The maximum height of the fins Lf should not exceed 80 mm.
2. The minimum thickness of any fin is 2 mm
3. The minimum distance between any two fins is 3 mm
4. Material data is given in the table.
Part 1. Two-dimensional heat sink analysis using numerical finite-difference method
Using information provided in the “Problem Statement” section, “Design constraints” section and in
“Parameters” table, determine the following:
1. Taking advantage of symmetry, discretise the heat sink geometry and write 2-dimensional finitedifference equations for each node.
2. Rewrite the equations of (1) in Gauss-Seidel form.
3. Determine the 2-dimensional temperature distribution in the heat sink using Gauss-Seidel method.
Continue iterations until the node temperature difference between final iteration and previous iteration is
less than 0.2°C.
4. Determine the total heat loss per heat sink length.
Part 2. Three-dimensional heat sink analysis using analytical method and ANSYS numerical method
Z
MCE Assignment Brief 2020-21
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As an engineer assigned this task and using information provided in the “Problem Statement” section,
“Design constraints” section and in “Parameters” table, determine the following:
Develop at least 3 different designs and evaluate their performances and cost for each design. For material
selection, you can refer to the Table “Material data”. For the final selected design you must investigate how
changes in both the fin length and the convective heat transfer coefficient affect the heat transfer rate in the
heat sink, and which parameter (h or Lf) has a greater effect on performance of the heat sink.
Using analytical method
1. Include the details of the model and analytical equations you have used to evaluate three different heat
sink designs. Each design must have different fin cross sections.
2. Any assumptions you have made must be stated.
3. Select the final heat sink design and justify why this design was selected.
4. For selected final design, perform Parametric Study and investigate the effect of varying convection
coefficient (h) and fin length (Lf) on heat transfer and justify your results.
Using ANSYS numerical method
5. Construct the CAD models of heat sinks for all three designs with structured hexahedral mesh only and
determine and plot the temperature distribution and heat transfer rate in the sink using ANSYS SteadyState Thermal module.
6. Compare heat sink analytical results with ANSYS results and provide detail discussions, justifications
and conclusions. You should compare three different cross section shapes (one cross section per design).
Your Part 2 of the assignment must include (as minimum) the following sections:
Problem Statement
Design 1
– Description (including diagrams)
– Analysis
– Discussion of Performance
. . . (repeat the above for each three designs)
Part 3. Combined fluid flow and heat transfer analysis of the heat sink
Using the same configuration of the heat sink shown in Figure 1, and assuming that constant qc enters the
heat sink, and also using information provided in the “Problem Statement” section, “Design constraints”
section and in “Parameters” table, determine the following:
Using analytical method
1. Assuming that flow is fully developed, determine Reynolds number and flow velocity.
2. Demonstrate whether the flow is laminar or turbulent and determine hydrodynamic and thermal entry
lengths.
3. Determine the mean outlet temperature of air.
Using ANSYS CFD method
4. Create 3-D heat sink model with structured hexahedral mesh only.
5. Conduct three-dimensional CFD analysis for the heat sink using ANSYS Fluent for the same conditions
as those for analytical method.
6. Refine your model mesh (double the number of elements) and run mesh sensitivity analysis to
demonstrate that there is no effect of mesh on the results.
7. Using ANSYS Fluent, demonstrate the effect of fin spacing on flow pressure drop.
8. Compare analytical and numerical (CFD) results for temperature, velocity, pressure, heat flux, and
provide detail discussions, justifications, and conclusions.
9. Plot distributions of velocity, temperature, pressure and heat flux in the heat sink and channels.
10. If the air flow velocity increases 30% and heat transfer rate qc increases 20%, redesign the heat sink to
maintain the chip’s temperature Tc ≤ 80 0C at minimum heat sink cost.
MCE Assignment Brief 2020-21
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Parameters
The parameters A, B, C, D, E and F depend on your student ID digits, and are assigned as follows.

Material data
Additional instructions to students: IMPORTANT!!! This assignment is an individual work. You have
to use your student ID digits to select input parameters. Zero mark will be given for the results with
input parameters that are not based on your student ID. This assignment should be presented in a
standard engineering report format. You must include the analytical fin, finite-difference and fluid flow
analysis with all relevant equations.
Further Information
Learning outcomes tested in this assessment (from the Module Descriptor):
1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the governing equations and mathematical principles of fluid
mechanics and heat transfer employed in CFD software
2. Independently plan a CFD project to solve unknown problems involving thermofluids, considering time
and computer resource constraints and demonstrating an awareness of the limitations of CFD
methodologies
3. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the current and emerging numerical methods in the field of fluid
dynamics and heat transfer
4. Analyse complex engineering flows systematically using CFD software and make judgements based on
available data
5. Demonstrate a critical understanding of physical models and their application in CFD software
Assessment criteria / marking scheme:
For this part of the assignment marks will be allocated under the following headings:
– Part 1. Two-dimensional heat sink analysis using numerical finite-difference method 30%

MCE Assignment Brief 2020-21
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Referencing style:
Harvard
(https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/static/5007/llspdf/skills/referencingstyles.pdf)
Expected size of the submission:
The report for this assignment must not exceed 15 pages, including cover page and all appendices. 10% of
the mark will be subtracted for each additional page. You need to use the page space effectively to
accommodate all the parts of the assignment within 15 pages.
Academic integrity statement: You must adhere to the university regulations on academic conduct. Formal
inquiry proceedings will be instigated if there is any suspicion of plagiarism or any other form of misconduct
in your work. Refer to the University’s Assessment Regulations for Northumbria Awards if you are unclear
as to the meaning of these terms. The latest copy is available on the University website.
Failure to submit: The University requires all students to submit assessed coursework by the deadline stated
in the assessment brief. Where coursework is submitted without approval after the published hand-in
deadline, penalties will be applied as defined in the University Policy on the Late Submission of Work
(available at the link below).
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/static/5007/arpdf/lateappr