
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer is an open access and peer-reviewed online journal that provides a central vehicle for the exchange of basic ideas in heat and mass transfer between researchers and engineers around the globe. It disseminates information of permanent interest in the area of heat and mass transfer. Theory and fundamental research in heat and mass transfer, numerical simulations and algorithms, experimental techniques, and measurements as applied to all kinds of current and emerging problems are welcome. Contributions to the journal consist of original research on heat and mass transfer in equipment, thermal systems, thermodynamic processes, nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, energy and power applications, as well as security and related topics.
Emerging Source Citation Index (Web of Science): 2025 Impact Factor 2.5; Ei Compendex; Scopus Citescore (Impact per Publication 2025): 2.6; SNIP (Source Normalized Impact per Paper 2025): 0.654; Google Scholar; Open J-Gate, etc.
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.079520 - 29 June 2026
Abstract Efficient transport of non-Newtonian fluids plays an important role in energy and thermal management systems. However, drag reduction characteristics and fluid behavior of non-Newtonian fluids in microchannels with structures are still under investigated, which is essential for lowering pumping power, improving transport and heat transfer efficiency to optimize microfluidic device design. This study systematically investigates the drag reduction performance of non-Newtonian fluids in microchannels with various cavities through numerical simulations and experimental verification. The effects of cavity incidence angle, structural smoothness, non-Newtonian rheological parameters, and shape parameters are analyzed. The drag reduction efficiencies under both… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.079464 - 29 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Phase Change Heat Transfer in Thermal Management Systems)
Abstract To address the increasing thermal management demands of electronic devices, this study proposes a single-inlet, single-outlet counterflow double-layer microchannel structure optimized for non-uniform heat sources and conducts a numerical analysis. The research focuses on designing a double-layer microchannel structure through topology optimization under 2.5D chip non-uniform heat source conditions. Its heat dissipation performance is compared with traditional linear microchannels to analyze the advantages of the topology-optimized microchannel. In a simulated 2.5D heat source scenario comprising a 240 W logic chip and four 40 W memory chips, the average temperature at the bottom of the topologically… More >
Open Access
REVIEW
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.075814 - 29 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Enhancement Technologies for Fluid Heat and Mass Transfer)
Abstract Cyclone separators are highly efficient gas-solid separation that operate on the centrifugal force and play an indispensable role in industries such as chemical engineering, environmental protection, and power generation. They exhibit excellent reliability, particularly under demanding conditions such as high temperatures and elevated particle concentrations. However, a persistent trade-off between separation efficiency and pressure drop has limited further performance improvements. To address this, optimization of cyclone separators has become a major research focus. This article systematically reviews recent advances, first by examining the mechanisms through which key structural parameters, such as inlet geometry, exhaust pipe… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.079362 - 29 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Phase Change Heat Transfer in Thermal Management Systems)
Abstract To achieve the goal of deep desalination of saline wastewater driven by solar energy, the evaporation experiments of Na2SO4 aqueous solution droplets under thermal radiation heating condition have been carried out with the working conditions of 1450 and 1930 nm, heat flux varied from 1.1 × 105 to 2.5 × 105 W·m−2, initial mass fraction in the range of 0.01~0.16 and droplet initial volume of 2.0~8.0 μL, respectively. The results indicate that absorption coefficient, initial mass fraction, heat flux and initial droplet volume have significantly influences on the evaporation characteristics. The main evaporation time can be shortened… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.079339 - 29 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advancements in Heat Transfer Research for Thermal Energy Storage: Emerging Trends and Real-World Applications)
Abstract Climate change and the ongoing dependence on fossil fuels present major challenges for global agriculture, with fossil fuel use in the agrifood sector accounting for a substantial and growing share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Agrifood systems currently contribute approximately one-third of total anthropogenic GHG emissions. Integrating renewable energy solutions for heating and power can help offset a significant fraction of these emissions. In this study, an analytical heat transfer and thermodynamic model is developed to evaluate the performance, energy balance, and thermal losses of the proposed system under realistic operating conditions. The model enables… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.080328 - 29 June 2026
Abstract Sub-Kelvin cooling technology is a critical prerequisite for high-sensitivity detection in deep space exploration and quantum computing. Operating identical sorption coolers in parallel is a common engineering approach to enhance cooling capacity and extend hold time for these cryogenic platforms. However, this study reports an unexpected “symmetry breaking” phenomenon observed in a parallel Helium-4 sorption cooling system where the cold heads are connected via Oxygen-Free High Thermal Conductivity (OFHC) copper linkages. Instead of the expected uniform load sharing, the system spontaneously evolves into an asymmetric “quasi-series” operational mode. In this state, one cooler preferentially consumes… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.079549 - 29 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Microscale Fluid Flow, Heat Transfer, and Phase Change)
Abstract Highly integrated micro-nano electronic devices suffer from severe heat dissipation challenges, and flow cooling in nanochannels is an effective solution. During convective heat transfer at liquid-solid interfaces, surface wettability and rough morphology are key parameters governing thermal transport; however, their combined effects remain unclear. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations are utilized to examine the synergistic effects of surface wettability and nanopillar arrays on thermal transport and fluid dynamics within nanochannels. The results show that increasing surface hydrophilicity and roughness reduces the thermal slip length and increases the Nusselt number, thereby enhancing heat transfer performance… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.080306 - 29 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Heat and Mass Transfer in Energy Systems: Fundamentals, Advances and Applications)
Abstract Rotary gas-gas heat exchangers (GGHs) are pivotal for waste heat recovery in low- and medium-temperature denitrification systems of cement kilns. This study examines the performance of GGHs within such systems by coupling computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the response surface method (RSM), introducing overall system performance (OSP) as the principal optimization criterion. The investigation systematically elucidates the effects of treated flue gas inlet temperature, inlet velocity, and rotor speed on GGH efficiency. Findings reveal that OSP increases with rotor speed but reaches a plateau beyond 1 rpm; it decreases with higher inlet velocity and increases… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.082228 - 29 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Thermal, Mass, and Life Management of Advanced Batteries and Fuel Cells)
Abstract Hydrogen (H2) crossover in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) reduces performance and poses safety risks, but its behavior under rapidly changing loads, which are common in vehicles, is not well understood. To address this, we developed a three-dimensional, two-phase, non-isothermal model that tracks H2 from dissolution in the anode, through transport across the membrane, to reaction at the cathode. The analysis shows that diffusion dominates whereas convection contributes little. Key findings are as follows: H2 crossover reduces the open-circuit voltage by 210 mV and raises cathode temperature by approximately 0.2°C; reducing the membrane thickness from 20… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.081154 - 29 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Enhancement Technologies for Fluid Heat and Mass Transfer)
Abstract To enhance the efficiency of phase change heat storage, this study investigates the synergistic effects and parameter interactions of a coupled strategy integrating fins, metal foam, and nanoparticles. A validated numerical model is developed for a shell-and-tube heat storage unit. The influence of porosity and pore density of metal foam, as well as Al2O3 nanoparticle concentration, on melting behavior, heat storage rate, and fluid flow features are systematically analyzed. Results indicate that reducing porosity significantly enhances heat conduction, shortening the complete melting time by up to 53.71%. Conversely, increasing pore density markedly suppresses natural convection, reducing… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.083008 - 29 June 2026
Abstract An extensive experimental investigation was performed on the thermal, exergetic, and thermo-hydraulic performance of a corrugated multi-duct solar air heater (SAH) incorporating constrained twisted tape inserts under real outdoor conditions. A photovoltaic (PV)-powered DC blower was employed to supply the airflow, and four setups were tested: a smooth absorber plate, corrugated ducts, and corrugated ducts with one or two twisted tape inserts. The Reynolds number ranged from 2000 to 10,000. The results indicate that the configuration with two twisted tape inserts achieved the highest value of thermal efficiency under optimal operating conditions, with the useful… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.078641 - 29 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Heat Exchanger Design, Performance, and Applications)
Abstract Plate heat exchangers are extensively utilized in thermal management. The heat transfer efficiency is significantly constrained by structural parameters and the non-uniformity of flow distribution across the plates. To address this, this study proposes the integration of diversion grooves onto the heat transfer plates to optimize the flow field. Numerical simulations conducted using ANSYS FLUENT demonstrate that the introduction of diversion grooves effectively reduces the fluid distribution uneven coefficient by 6.9%. To identify the optimal configuration, a series of plate models were developed and analyzed, investigating the impact of varying diversion groove lengths (ranging from… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.080844 - 29 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Multiscale and Multiphysics Approaches in Heat and Mass Transfer)
Abstract This paper employs the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) to investigate the nonlinear characteristics of natural convection in toroidal spaces with radius ratios of 2.6, 1.6, 1.4, and 1.2. Based on the maximum Lyapunov exponent, runs test, and phase space trajectory, the transition from steady-state to chaotic state is analyzed. The results show that with increasing Rayleigh number (Ra), the toroidal system successively experiences a steady state, a periodic oscillation state, a quasi-periodic oscillation state, and finally enters a chaotic state. For example, when the radius ratio is 2.6, these transitions occur at Ra values of 5 More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.081417 - 29 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Multi-Scale Heat and Mass Transfer: From Intensification to System Integration)
Abstract Geothermal-solar hybrid power generation has been widely recognized as a promising application within the realm of renewable energy, as such hybridization mitigates solar intermittency while enhancing the utilization of medium-temperature geothermal resources, thus enabling effective energy complementarity. To quantitatively investigate its performance enhancement over single-source systems, this study constructs and analyzes three Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) based plants with a capacity of approximately 500 kW: a standalone solar ORC, a standalone geothermal ORC, and a hybrid geothermal-solar ORC system. A comprehensive analysis encompassing both design-point and annual off-design operations is conducted, followed by an economic… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.081419 - 29 June 2026
Abstract This study used simulated formation water (15 g/L CaCl2) from a certain area of Xinjiang Oilfield as the experimental medium., and employed a high-pressure sealed reaction vessel and a sapphire window to systematically investigate the effects of water content (30%–70%), initial pressure (2–14 MPa), and the intervention of CH4 on the critical point of CO2 hydrate formation. The differences between the ‘visual confirmation’ method and the temperature-pressure curve inflection point method for determining hydrate formation were also compared. The study found that in a single CO2 system under a constant pressure of 5 MPa and a water… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.079777 - 29 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Enhancing Heat and Mass Transfer in Multiphase Systems)
Abstract A three-dimensional numerical model of a water-driven steam ejector was developed using the Euler-Euler two-fluid framework. A direct-contact condensation (DCC) heat and mass transfer model was employed to simulate the complex two-phase flow and energy exchange. The distributions of gas-liquid phases, pressure, and temperature were obtained to evaluate performance. Results indicate that within the investigated operating range (pp = 140–160 kPa), the entrainment ratio (ER) and temperature rise (DT) are highly coupled, with DT varying from 5.33 to 11.49 K. The maximum temperature rise of 11.49 K was achieved at pp = 140 kPa, Tp = 310 K,… More >