Numerical Study of the Heat Transfer Characteristics of a Heat Exchanger Based on the Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Primitive

Heat exchange devices based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) demonstrate a significant increase in heat transfer compared to traditional heat exchangers of the same volume. However, most studies focus on modeling individual sections rather than the entire heat exchanger. In this study, a full-scale heat exchange device based on the Primitive surface with inlet and outlet manifolds was modeled. Numerical simulation was used to determine the flow pattern within the heat exchanger based on the Primitive surface. The proposed implementation of manifolds for flow distribution contributed to an increase in the Nusselt number by up to 80% and a reduction in the friction factor by up to 200%. An increase in the Reynolds number leads to a decrease in friction coefficients and an increase in Nusselt numbers; however, the overall performance indicator j/f for TPMS decreases with increasing Re. This study highlights the significant potential of using such a structure as a two-phase heat exchanger in thermal management systems.