3D Numerical Modelling of Convective Heat Transfer through Two-sided Vertical Channel Symmetrically Filled with Metal Foams

Abstract

A computational fluid dynamics analysis of forced convective heat transfer has been conducted numerically on the hydrodynamic and heat transfer of airflow through vertical channel. The effects of airflow Reynolds number, metal foam porosity and thermal conductivity on the overall Nusselt number, pressure drop, maximum temperature and temperature distribution were considered. The novelty of the present study is the use of metal foams in a two-sided vertical channel and the quantification of the heat transfer enhancement compared to an empty channel for different foam material. Based on the generated results, it is observed that the heat transfer rate from the heated plate is the same for aluminium foam (porosity of 0.948) and copper foam (porosity of 0.877) against equal velocity range and heat flux conditions. Furthermore, it is noted that increasing the airflow velocity reduces the maximum temperature; however, the decrement is not linear. Results obtained from the proposed model were successfully compared with experimental data found in the literature for rectangular metal foam heat exchangers.