TY - JOUR
TI - Analysis of heat transfer mechanisms in micro-channels with different vortex-inducing micro-structures
AU - Wan Xuechun
AU - Yuan Ding
AU - Che Zhiyong
AU - Li Zhujun
AU - Liu Yifei
AU - Zhu Jincai
JN - Thermal Science
PY - 2025
VL - 29
IS - 5
SP - 3591
EP - 3601
PT - Article
AB - In this study, the flow characteristics and heat transfer mechanism of longitudinal vortices induced by a micro-channel containing double-row rib micro-structures (DLM), a micro-channel containing single-row rib micro-structures (SLM), and a smooth micro-channel (SM) were comprehensively analyzed through numerical simulations at Reynolds numbers (Re = 164-965). It was found that the SLM had the highest Nusselt number (Nu =2 8) and the best comprehensive evaluation factor (PEC) (PEC = 2.1). The study revealed that the primary mechanism for enhancing heat transfer in SLM was the disruption of the thermal boundary-layer. This led to improved heat transfer performance in SLM, despite its fewer longitudinal vortices compared to DLM. Flow analysis revealed that the formation of two longitudinal vortices created a lubrication-like effect in DLM. Consequently, the pressure drop observed in DLM was 28% lower than that in SLM, and the intensity of the vortices was also found to be less than that of SLM.