Thermal Management Enabled by Si3N4 3D Manifold Microchannels
Abstract
Future naval and tactical aircraft will see large heat loads caused by electrification of aircraft, directed energy weapons, and higher power loads in avionics. Actively cooled systems enabled by ceramic substrates with internal cooling passages can meet the thermal management needs of these aircraft. The proposed concept leverages recent advances in thermal management, by incorporating 3-dimensional (3D) manifold architecture microchannels, and advances in materials, by additive manufacturing tooling for near-net shape production of high conductivity silicon nitride (Si3N4) with the necessary embedded complex channels. This research will integrate innovative combinations of additive manufacturing techniques to enable the production of high thermal conductivity Si3N4 to generate sufficiently smooth interfaces needed for microfluidic channels. The research will utilize two-phase boiling flows to meet the thermal-hydraulic performance goals for ultra-high heat flux capability (1 kW/cm2) with low-pumping power (pressure drops < 10 kPa), and low-thermal resistance (< 0.1 K/W). The technical plan will be subdivided into two parts: thermal management and materials/manufacturing. The thermal management plan will involve a combination of reduced-order modeling to down-select optimal manifold configurations, and two-phase flow loop development and testing to validate the thermal-hydraulic performance. The materials/manufacturing plan will involve a combination of building additive manufacturing Si3N4, assessing surface roughness, and optimizing the effects of consolidation processing parameters on porosity and thermal conductivity of the Si3N4. This project will provide a pathway to a superior, structurally sound thermal management design for naval aircraft power and propulsion systems. This work will greatly impact future DoD fighter and tactical aircraft by increasing power densities and system efficiencies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 02, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112078
Entities
People
- Chirag R Kharangate
Organizations
- Case Western Reserve University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy