SUMMARY

The objective of this research is to develop the computational method to study heat transfer in multi component fluids. Suspensions of solid particles or fibers in a liquid form a complex fluid whose properties are different compared to the base liquid. Examples of such fluids are nano/micro fluids, particle filled thermal interface materials, or fiber suspensions in a paper making machine. In most cases, solid suspensions enhance the heat transfer performance. Here, numerical simulations are used to study and characterize the heat transfer properties of such systems. The developed computational method is based on the solution of the lattice-Boltzmann equation for the fluid flow, coupled with the energy equation for thermal transport, and the Newtonian dynamics equations for direct simulation of suspended particle transport. A three dimensional microchannel heat sink containing a nanofluid, squeeze flow of deformable fiber suspensions in a paper machine drying section or squeeze flow of particle laden thermal interface materials are examples of the problems simulated for thermal performance in the present study. Experiments are essential to verify the computational results. The flow and the structure of the suspensions are planned to be studied using flow visualization based on Micro Particle Image Velocimetry (micro-PIV) technique.