Open Access
ARTICLE
HEAT EXCHANGER DESIGN METHODOLOGY FOR ELECTRONIC HEAT SINKS
Ralph L. Webb
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802
* Corresponding Author: Email:
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer 2011, 2(2), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.5098/hmt.v2.2.3001
Abstract
This paper discusses the “Inlet Temperature Difference” (ITD) based heat-exchanger (and its variants) design methodology frequently used by
designers of electronic heat sinks. The methodology is at variance with the accepted methodology recommended in standard heat-transfer text books
– the “Log-Mean Temperature Difference” (LMTD), or the equivalent “effectiveness-NTU” design method. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate
and discuss the ITD based design methodology and its deficiencies. The paper shows that the ITD based method is an approximation at best. Variants
of the method can lead to either under or over prediction of the heat transfer rate. Its shortcomings are evaluated, and it is recommended that
designers of electronic cooling equipment use the well established and accepted LMTD or -NTU design methodology.
Keywords
Cite This Article
Webb, R. L. (2011). HEAT EXCHANGER DESIGN METHODOLOGY FOR ELECTRONIC HEAT SINKS.
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, 2(2), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.5098/hmt.v2.2.3001