Flow and heat transfer characteristics downstream of a porous sudden expansion: A numerical study

Abstract

Incompressible, axisymmetric laminar flow downstream of a porous expansion is simulated. Effect of the Darcy number and inertia coefficient on flow and heat transfer characteristics downstream of the expansion is investigated. The simulation revealed circulation downstream of the expansion. Decreasing the Darcy number is shown to decrease the circulation region. The Nusselt number, friction coefficient, and pressure drop are shown to increase, while reattachment and location of maximum heat transfer move upstream with decreasing Darcy number. Similar effects are observed with increasing inertia coefficient.