System Evaluation of Cavitation Enhanced Heat Transfer in Microchannels

Mainstream Engineering Corporation and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute previously introduced a new method of enhancing two-phase heat transfer in microchannels. Micro-orifices, 20 μm wide, were entrenched at the inlet of 227-μm (hydraulic diameter) microchannels to provide flow stability and induce hydrodynamic cavitation. Significant heat transfer enhancement was recorded during supercavitating flow conditions in comparison to non-cavitating flows with minimal pressure-drop penalty. This paper examines the usefulness of this approach from a systems perspective. Results are compared to predicted values in microchannel passages without orifices. Recommendations are made to improve the performance of the entire thermal management system.