Pressure loss modeling for surface mounted cuboid-shaped packages in channel flow

An analytical model is presented that predicts pressure loss for fully developed flow in a parallel plate channel with an array of uniformly-sized and spaced cuboid blocks on one wall. The model is intended for use in optimizing enclosure designs for air cooled electronics equipment containing arrays of printed circuit boards. Using a composite solution, based on the laminar and turbulent smooth wall channel limiting cases, the friction factor for periodic fully developed flow can be calculated as a function of the array geometry and fluid velocity. The resulting model is applicable for a full range of Reynolds numbers, 1⩽Re(D_k)⩽100000. Average differences between the model and the results available in the literature are 5% and 15% for numerical laminar flow data and measured values, respectively