Numerical investigation of the effects of fin number and motion on flow and heat transfer in microchannels

The addition of fins can effectively enhance the flow heat transfer performance of microchannels, while the number of fins and the selection of the center point of motion have an important influence on the flow heat transfer of rectangular microchannels. By optimizing the number of fins and the center point of movement, an optimal design between heat transfer efficiency and flow resistance can be achieved. In this study, the effects of the number of fins and the position of the center of motion on the flow field and the temperature field are simulated and studied using the dynamic mesh technique under a Reynolds number range of Re = 50–250 and a fin oscillation frequency of f = 20 Hz. During the continuous motion of the fins, the Nusselt number (Nu), the friction coefficient (fr), and the performance evaluation criterion (PEC) are regularly analyzed, together with the flow time, limit, and initial positions of motion. The distribution law for the number of fins and the position of the center of motion on the microchannel flow field and temperature field is determined. The results show that the number of fins is four, and the rotation center position is zero, indicating that the microchannel fins perform best in this mode.