Abstract

Metal foam is a novel material recently utilized in baffles as an alternative to solid baffles for reducing flow resistance. However, the metal foam baffles are accompanied by low heat transfer efficiency. To overcome this issue, a new design of copper foam baffles has been suggested in this research, called baffles having a gradient pore density of the copper foam. The pore density either increases or decreases towards the wall. So, the experimental tests were carried out in a square channel and heated uniformly at the bottom wall of the test section. Its walls are mounted copper foam baffles at a fixed porosity of 95%. Baffles were alternately fixed upon the walls' bottom and top in staggered mode. The results were determined for various kinds of copper foam (10 and 20) pores per inch (PPI), and the gradient pore density was either with the order decreasing (DPPI) 10/20 PPI or increasing (IPPI) 20/10 PPI with a window cut ratio of 25% and a constant heat flux of 4.4 kW/m2 . The Reynolds number was changed from 3.8x104 to 5.4x104 . The data for conventional copper solid baffles were used to compare the influence of foam metal type. The obtained results revealed an enhancement in thermohydraulic performance for baffles with a gradient pore density of the order decreasing DPPI (10/20 PPI) higher than all the models of copper foam baffles.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.