Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer Research

Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer Research

Numerical Investigation of Nanofluid-Based Cooling in a Heat Sink-Inspired Cavity Using the Lattice Boltzmann Method

Articles in Press

Document Type : Full Length Research Article

Authors
Abdelilah Makaoui
Youssef Admi
Mohammed Amine Moussaoui
Ahmed Mezrhab
Mechanics & Energy Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
10.22075/jhmtr.2026.38804.1815
Abstract
The present study employs a two-dimensional numerical analysis of heat transfer enhancement in a heat sink-inspired cavity using nanofluids, based on the Multiple Relaxation Time Lattice Boltzmann Method. A systematic analysis is conducted to investigate the impact of nanoparticle volume fraction (φ = 0-5%), Reynolds number (Re = 10-500), and Richardson number (Ri = 0.1,1,10) on thermal performance. The findings of the study demonstrate that augmenting the nanoparticle volume fraction substantially enhances heat transfer, particularly at low Reynolds numbers (Re ≤ 100), where natural convection exerts a predominant influence. In the case of a 5% concentration, the average Nusselt number is observed to increase by more than twofold in comparison with the base fluid. This phenomenon can be attributed to the enhanced thermal conductivity resulting from the presence of the substance under investigation. However, this enhancement diminishes as forced convection becomes dominant at higher Re. The greatest thermal performance gains occur at Ri = 0.1, indicating strong forced convection. A thorough investigation into the thermal performance factor reveals that nanofluids demonstrate optimal efficacy in low-flow regimes.
Keywords
Lattice Boltzmann method
heat sink
Nanofluid
Cooling system
Heat transfer
Mixed convection
Subjects
Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 January 2026

  • Receive Date 25 August 2025
  • Revise Date 20 November 2025
  • Accept Date 04 January 2026