Analysis of manifold fluid flow networks for air and liquid flow-through modular electronics

Manifold fluid flow networks are an essential element in cooling systems th at distribute forced air or forced liquid cooling to high performance modul ar electronics. Manifolds represent a specialized design problem, however, and few engineers in the field electronics thermal management are familiar with the basic fluid dynamics concepts that govern flow rate and pressure d istribution in manifold systems. The subject paper describes a one dimensio nal discrete branch point model for manifold analysis. Predicted results ar e compared with liquid flow test data in the laminar and transitional regim e. CFD simulations are used to assess the validity of selected empirical co efficients. Basic design guidelines for the practicing engineer are provide d.