A review of heat transfer enhancement techniques in power systems

The optimization of modern power systems demands that they enhance heat transfer. Analysis has demonstrated the passive use of nanofluids and surface roughness to greatly enhance thermal conductivity as well as increase heat transfer rates, but without requiring the input of additional energy. Meanwhile, active methods, from pulsating flows to electromagnetic fields, have been shown to decrease thermal resistance and improve system performance. Further significant improvements in efficiency are achieved when hybrid approaches combine both passive and active strategies that overcome the limitations of each method individually. This review critically analyses these heat transfer enhancement methods on the grounds of their principles, mathematical models, and experimental results. The paper presents a detailed understanding of how these techniques are applied in a variety of domains, including power generation, renewable energy systems, and high-performance electronics, based on the incorporation of evidence from 20 validated sources. These findings present the transformative potential of these advancements to address fundamental challenges including energy efficiency, component miniaturization, and environmental sustainability.