Multi-tiered configurations improved flow boiling performance: Comparation investigation of leaf vein inspired two-tiered and three-tiered open microchannels

Microchannel heat sinks with expanding flow area along with the flow direction are able to suppress flow instability and reduce pressure drop during two-phase flow boiling by offering broadening volume for bubble elongation and growth that suppress the slug blockage and flow reversal. In this regard, microchannels with expanding area perpendicular to flow direction are supposed to obtain the comparable results, as the bubbles migrate to the downstream and top of microchannels simultaneously. However, the relevant study about multi-tiered microchannel heat sinks was limited and the corresponding flow boiling characteristics remained elusive. In this work, leaf vein inspired two-tiered open microchannel (LTWOMC) and three-tiered one (LTHOMC) were proposed and comparative flow boiling experiments were carried out. The outcomes indicated that LTWOMC obtained earlier ONB, which was 6.4 °C lower than LTHOMC at G = 220 kg/m2·s, the average local convective heat transfer coefficient (hcon) and average two-phase one (htp) of LTWOMC were maximumly enhanced up to 36.3% and 148.7% at G = 150 kg/m2·s, respectively. The pressure drop (ΔP) of LTWOMC was generally larger than LTHOMC at all mass fluxes, which led to the cooling coefficient of performances (COPs) of LTHOMC superior compared to LTWOMC under all working conditions. Moreover, LTHOMC exhibited better flow stability than LTWOMC with lower amplitudes and standard deviations of both wall temperature and pressure drop. In general, the three-tiered hierarchical configuration is more suitable than two-tiered one for flow boiling heat transfer. •Leaf vein inspired two-tiered (LTWOMC) and three-tiered (LTHOMC) open microchannels were proposed.•LTWOMC had lower wall superheats and earlier onset of nucleated boiling than LTHOMC.•Average hcon and htp of LTWOMC were maximumly rose by 36.3% and 148.7% than LTHOMC.•The pressure drop of LTWOMC was generally greater than LTHOMC.•COPs of LTHOMC were superior than LTWOMC under all working conditions.