Numerical Investigation on Electronic Cabinet with interrupted Fin heat sink using CFD

Abstract

Heat dissipation is one of the most challenging tasks in any product design more so in thermal design of Electronic Cabinets, as heat generated by these components may exceed its operating temperature limits leading to failure of components. Research shows that, for every 100C temperature rise above ambient temperature of the Cabinet, the life of the electronic components is reduced by half. Hence limiting the temperature of components below its operating temperature range becomes a major criterion in designing any electronic system. In this present work, CFD analysis has been carried out using ANSYS Fluent on Electronic Cabinet of size 358mm x 78mm x 252mm consisting five heat sources with total heat dissipation of 150W. Cabinet is designed for two exhaust fans each of 48 CFM. The analysis is carried out by providing interrupted fin heat sink. The results of interrupted fin heat sink are compared with the results of continuous fin heat sink. It is found that nearly there is 2% reduction in the pumping power cost using interrupted fin heat sink due to lower pressure drop and also installing interrupted fin heat sink reduces the weight of the Electronic system. The result obtained for temperature rise in a Cabinetfound to be 30C which is below the threshold limit. Analysis results of temperature rise and inlet velocity was validated with analytical results and hence satisfies.