Computational and Experimental Investigation of Additively Manufactured Lattice Heat Sinks for Liquid-Cooling Railway Power Electronics

This study investigates the performance of lattice-structured heat sinks based on BCCz unit cells in comparison to conventional straight-fin and pin-fin designs. Various lattice configurations were explored. Numerical simulations and experimental evaluations were carried out to analyze thermal resis...

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Main Authors: Ahmad Batikh, Jean-Pierre Fradin, Antonio Castro Moreno
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3753
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author Ahmad Batikh
Jean-Pierre Fradin
Antonio Castro Moreno
author_facet Ahmad Batikh
Jean-Pierre Fradin
Antonio Castro Moreno
author_sort Ahmad Batikh
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the performance of lattice-structured heat sinks based on BCCz unit cells in comparison to conventional straight-fin and pin-fin designs. Various lattice configurations were explored. Numerical simulations and experimental evaluations were carried out to analyze thermal resistance, pressure drop, and temperature distribution under different operating conditions. Among the designs, the BCCz configuration with a circular cross-section was identified as the most promising candidate for integration into the final heat sink demonstrator, offering reliable and consistent performance. A prototype using the BCCz lattice structure was additively manufactured, alongside a conventional design for comparison. The results highlight the superior heat dissipation capabilities of lattice structures, achieving up to a 100% improvement in thermal performance at high flow rates and up to 300% at low flow rates compared to a conventional straight-fin heat sink. However, the pressure drop generated by the lattice structures remains a challenge that must be addressed. This work underscores the potential of optimized lattice-based heat exchangers to meet the severe thermal management requirements of railway power electronics.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1996-1073
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Energies
spelling doaj-art-653965f1afa24009bc6c0e7e5bb86c0a2025-08-20T03:32:32ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-07-011814375310.3390/en18143753Computational and Experimental Investigation of Additively Manufactured Lattice Heat Sinks for Liquid-Cooling Railway Power ElectronicsAhmad Batikh0Jean-Pierre Fradin1Antonio Castro Moreno2Icam School of Engineering, Toulouse Campus, 31330 Toulouse, FranceIcam School of Engineering, Toulouse Campus, 31330 Toulouse, FranceIRT Saint Exupéry, 31400 Toulouse, FranceThis study investigates the performance of lattice-structured heat sinks based on BCCz unit cells in comparison to conventional straight-fin and pin-fin designs. Various lattice configurations were explored. Numerical simulations and experimental evaluations were carried out to analyze thermal resistance, pressure drop, and temperature distribution under different operating conditions. Among the designs, the BCCz configuration with a circular cross-section was identified as the most promising candidate for integration into the final heat sink demonstrator, offering reliable and consistent performance. A prototype using the BCCz lattice structure was additively manufactured, alongside a conventional design for comparison. The results highlight the superior heat dissipation capabilities of lattice structures, achieving up to a 100% improvement in thermal performance at high flow rates and up to 300% at low flow rates compared to a conventional straight-fin heat sink. However, the pressure drop generated by the lattice structures remains a challenge that must be addressed. This work underscores the potential of optimized lattice-based heat exchangers to meet the severe thermal management requirements of railway power electronics.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3753additive manufacturinglattice heat sinkrailway power electronicsliquid coolingCFD
spellingShingle Ahmad Batikh
Jean-Pierre Fradin
Antonio Castro Moreno
Computational and Experimental Investigation of Additively Manufactured Lattice Heat Sinks for Liquid-Cooling Railway Power Electronics
Energies
additive manufacturing
lattice heat sink
railway power electronics
liquid cooling
CFD
title Computational and Experimental Investigation of Additively Manufactured Lattice Heat Sinks for Liquid-Cooling Railway Power Electronics
title_full Computational and Experimental Investigation of Additively Manufactured Lattice Heat Sinks for Liquid-Cooling Railway Power Electronics
title_fullStr Computational and Experimental Investigation of Additively Manufactured Lattice Heat Sinks for Liquid-Cooling Railway Power Electronics
title_full_unstemmed Computational and Experimental Investigation of Additively Manufactured Lattice Heat Sinks for Liquid-Cooling Railway Power Electronics
title_short Computational and Experimental Investigation of Additively Manufactured Lattice Heat Sinks for Liquid-Cooling Railway Power Electronics
title_sort computational and experimental investigation of additively manufactured lattice heat sinks for liquid cooling railway power electronics
topic additive manufacturing
lattice heat sink
railway power electronics
liquid cooling
CFD
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3753
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