Effect of the inlet location on the performance of parallel-channel cold-plate

This study numerically examines the influence of inlet locations on the performance of the Multichannel cold-plates. A total of five inlet configurations (namely I-, Z-,]-, L-, and £F-arrangement) are investigated in this study. The velocity maldistribution and nonuniformity of temperature field caused by the fluid flow are shown in the simulation. For I-arrangement, higher inlet flow rate of the cold-plate shows more considerable maldistribution, and this maldistribution is decreased when the number of channels of the cold-plate is increased. The Z-arrangement and L-arrangements show a pronounced flow-recirculation that eventually leads to a much larger temperature difference along the surface of the cold-plate. Conversely, there is no flow recirculation in the ]-arrangement and a comparatively uniform flow distribution is seen. For the same average inlet velocity, I-arrangement has the highest pressure drop whereas ]-arrangement shows the lowest pressure drop. The I- and £F-arrangement give the best heat transfer performance due to their impingement configurations whereas the Z-arrangement shows the lowest heat transfer performance for its dramatic flow recirculation and maldistribution. ? 2006 IEEE.