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Reducing energy availability losses with open parallel microchannels embedded in a micropatterned surface
Author(s) -
Naterer G. F.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.1108
Subject(s) - microchannel , mechanics , entropy production , knudsen number , slip (aerodynamics) , materials science , boundary layer , boundary value problem , thermodynamics , physics , quantum mechanics
This article develops a new technique of reducing exergy losses of external viscous flow over surfaces, based on optimized microchannels embedded within the surface. The rate of entropy production and loss of available optimized energy are formulated by an integral solution and modified Blasius profiles of boundary layer flow. The optimized number of microchannels, width and height of each microchannel and spacing between microchannels involve a selective compromise between added heat exchange due to surface area, together with reduced friction through slip conditions within each microchannel. Mixed Knudsen numbers across each microchannel require simultaneous modelling of both slip‐flow and no‐slip conditions at the wall. Results involving the minimal entropy production and optimized microchannel profiles are presented and compared to other benchmark results involving classical macro‐scale configurations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.