Forced Convection in a Duct Partially Filled With a Porous Material

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical study of fully developed forced convection in a channel partially filled with a porous matrix. The matrix is attached at the channel wall and extends inward, toward the centerline. Two channel configurations are investigated, namely, parallel plates and circular pipe. For each channel configuration, both the case of constant wall heat flux and constant wall temperature were studied. The main novel feature of this study is that it takes into account the flow inside the porous region and determines the effect of this flow on the heat exchange between the wall and the fluid in the channel. The Brinkman flow model which has been proven appropriate for flows in sparsely packed porous media and for flows near solid boundaries was used to model the flow inside the porous region. Important results of engineering interest were obtained and are reported in this paper. These results thoroughly document the dependence of the Nusselt number on several parameters of the problem. Of particular importance is the finding that the dependence of Nu on the thickness of the porous layer is not monotonic. A critical thickness exists at which the value of Nu reaches a minimum.

Thermal Transport in Metallic Porous Media

“…12(c). At high k f /k s (1, 10 -1 ), a minimized Nu exists as Y i varies from 0 to 1, which is in accordance with the thermal equilibrium result of Poulikakos and Kazmierczak (Poulikakos & Kazmierczak, 1987). However, Nu monotonically decreases as Y i varies from 0 to 1 for low k f /k s , as in the case of metallic foams with high solid thermal conductivities.…”

Developing convective flow in a square channel partially filled with a high porosity metal foam and rotating in a parallel-mode

“…However, assumption of a local thermal equilibrium existence between fluid and solid phases was considered in the most of former analytical and numerical works conducted. To name a few, the analytical studies presented by [32,33] as well as the numerical works done by [34,35]. Due to the significant difference existed between the thermal conductivities of fluid and solid phases in some porous media, e.g.…”

Using Porous Media to Enhancement of Heat Transfer in Heat Exchangers

“…In 2001 [44], the researchers investigated the heat transfer of the plate heat exchanger in the central arrangement between the plates and showed that the presence of porous material in the central makeup reduced the thickness of the boundary layer and consequently Increases heat transfer. Poulikakos and Kazmierczak's research [45] on compulsory displacement in a channel, which is partially occupied by porous material. The porous material is clinging to the channel wall.…”