Analysis of Pin Fin Shapes on Thermal Performances in Microchannel Heat Sink using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Abstract

As technology continues to miniaturize, efficient thermal management 
remains a critical challenge, particularly in applications involving 
electronic devices such as CPUs and integrated circuits. Microchannel 
heat sinks (MCHS) have emerged as a prominent solution, yet their 
thermal performance can still be optimized. This study investigates the 
impact of different triangular, square, and hexagonal pin fin geometries 
on the thermal performance of MCHS using computational fluid 
dynamics (CFD) simulations in ANSYS Fluent. The analysis focuses on 
key thermal parameters, including maximum temperature, pressure 
drop, and temperature contour, across a range of Reynolds numbers 
(200–1000). Results indicate that square-shaped pin fins demonstrate 
superior thermal performance by achieving the lowest maximum 
temperature which is 316.512 K, while circular pin fins exhibit the least 
pressure drop. However, the square-shaped geometry also incurs a 
higher pressure drop, highlighting the trade-off between thermal 
efficiency and fluid flow resistance. The findings provide valuable 
insights for optimizing microchannel heat sink designs and enhancing 
cooling efficiency in high-performance electronic systems.