ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the results of experimental investigations of a phase change material (PCM)-based composite 72 pin fin heat sink subjected to individual heat loading of 4 discrete heaters of equal area. Investigations on the thermal performance of heat sink without PCM for various power levels are also done in order to appreciate the enhancement in thermal performance afforded by the PCM. The main goal of the optimization objective in the cooling process using PCMs would be to increase the charging time. The change in material properties of the material with melting are modelled using a piecewise linear model for the specific heat and thermal conductivity. The latent heat accumulated in the PCM can be estimated by the known melt fraction of the PCM and the enthalpy of melting. At the beginning of the melting process, the total heat input to the heat sink is transferred to the PCM as sensible heat.
