Heat Transfer Enhancement on Staggered Perforated Circular Pin-Fin Heat Sink: An Experimental Assessment

This experimental study examines how forced convective flow affects heat transfer properties in a rectangular channel with staggered pin fins featuring different perforation patterns under constant heat flux conditions across Reynolds numbers (Re) ranging from 2.0 × 103 to 12 × 103. The study compares cylindrical pin fins with solid pin fins and those featuring circular longitudinal (L), longitudinal/transverse (LT), and longitudinal/transverse/vertical (LTV) perforations to determine optimal perforation configurations for enhanced heat transfer performance. The experiment uses a Peltier module to generate heat on one side, utilizing the Armfield Free and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Service Units HT 19 and HT10XC. The results showed that perforated pins significantly raise Nusselt number (Nu) over solid pins: 7% for L, 30% for LT, and 64% for LTV perforations. Pressure drops are reduced by 10% for L, 17% for LT, and 25% for LTV perforations relative to solid pins. At lower Reynolds numbers, the overall enhancement ratio peaks, notable for reaching a 40% rise with LTV-perforated pin fins. Additionally, fin effectiveness improves significantly: 14, 34, and 57% higher for L, LT, and LTV perforated pin-fin arrays, respectively. This study showcases potential applications in electronic cooling systems, promising improved heat transfer efficiency.