Entropy Generation Analysis on Heat Exchanger in Aluminum Foam

Abstract

Heat exchangers, widely used in the industrial sector, are often the subject of study to find techniques to increase their efficiency. One of the most effective techniques is that which involves the use of metal foams. The application of metal foams in heat exchangers allows for greater efficiency, a more compact and lighter device, high thermal conductivity and a large accessible surface per unit of volume. Entropy generation analysis on compact heat exchanger in aluminum foam is accomplished. The governing equations in two-dimensional steady state regime are written in local thermal non-equilibrium (LTNE). The geometrical domain under investigation is made up of a plate in aluminum foam with inside a single array of five circular tubes. The foams are characterized by a porosity in the range from 0.90 to 0.97 and different pores per inch, equal to 5, 10, 20 and 40. The LTNE assumption is employed to simulate the heat transfer between metal foam and air and evaluate the global entropy generations. The compact heat exchanger at different air flow rates is studied with an assigned surface tube temperature. The results in terms of global entropy generations and in terms of Bejan number Be related to the thermal and viscous effects are given.

Effects of stirring speed and flux composition on the recycling of aluminium foams

“…Aluminium foams exhibit unique mechanical, thermal, acoustic, and electrical properties [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15], rendering them attractive in transportation, construction, and aerospace applications [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. Now, aluminium foams have reached the maturity of development in terms of process stability, materials properties and costs required for industrial applications [6,10].…”