Numerical Modelling and Optimization of Thermal Performance of Heat Sink with Uniform Cross-Sectional Area using Shape Optimized Al₂ O₃-SiC Nanoparticles in Base Fluid

This study explores the flow characteristics of proposed “Integrated hybrid nanofluid heat sink model (IHNFHSM)” with a novel mixture of Al₂O₃–SiC nanoparticles of various shape in base fluid. The primary objective is to evaluate the influence of various similarity parameters on the heat transfer performance of the fin structure subjected to convective and insulated tip boundary conditions. A novel combination of Al₂O₃–SiC hybrid nanoparticles offer a significant potential for improved dissipation of heat in engineering applications. The analysis is carried out using Darcy's model, incorporating temperature-dependent natural convection, and radiation effects. The governing energy equations are non-dimensionalized and solved using three stage Lobatto quadrature numerical technique with suitable boundary conditions. The results provide insight into the effect of similarity parameters on the thermal performance of the system under consideration. Quantitatively, the findings reveal an increase of 23% in the thermal conductivity of base fluid with hybrid nanoparticles. The heat transfer rate of convective fin tip was enhanced by an average of 17.13% at Nc = Nr = m₂ = 1 compared to an insulated fin tip. An optimal thermal performance of the model in terms of heat transfer rate was observed by an enhancement of 100% in Nc, Nr and m₂ values from 10 to 20. Additionally, dimensionless fin temperature at Nc = 1 enhanced by 12.16% for the lamina – lamina shape combination of nanoparticles over lamina – spherical, clearly showing its dominance in the thermal performance over the rest of the combinations.