Experimental investigation on flow characteristics in open rectangular microgrooves using micro-PIV

In this paper, flow characteristics in open rectangular microgrooves were investigated by micro-PIV. Liquid cross-sectional areas and central thickness of the liquid film of the meniscus along the axial direction of the microgroove were both studied. The results show that there is a 'dead zone' near the end of the recession stage where the fluid does almost not flow. Under the same heat flux condition, liquid cross-sectional area decreases with increase of the inclined angles in the same axial cross-section. Under the same inclined angle, liquid cross-sectional area decreases along the axis of the microgrooves heat sink. Under different inclined angles condition, liquid cross-sectional area in corner flow stage of rectangular microgrooves heat sinks decreases along the axis. Liquid cross-sectional area in corner flow stage increases as the inclined angle increases at the same directional cross-section. Central thickness of the liquid film of the meniscus reduces along the axis under the same heat flux condition; central thickness of the liquid film of the meniscus decreases with the increasing heat flux at the same axial cross-section. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.