Heat transport phenomena in Voronoi foam due to pulsating flow

Abstract

Metal foam is of great interest to many researchers due to its heat transfer capabilities in transport phenomena. Metal foam has reduced weight and dimensions per meter of heat exchange surface. In this regard, the use of metal foam in transport cooling systems is relevant since the mass-dimensional characteristics of the components of vehicles are essential. This article numerically investigates heat transfer and pressure drop through open cell foam under pulsating flow. The pulsations were both symmetrical and asymmetrical. The pulsation frequency was varied in the range from 0.25 to 1.25 Hz; the dimensionless pulsation amplitude was constant at 28.6. Air was used as the working fluid. The Reynolds number corresponded to 30. Numerical analysis was carried out using Ansys Fluent. The 3D open cell foam geometry construction was based on the Laguerre Voronoi tessellations technique. The obtained data on heat transfer for a steady flow were compared with the experimental data. As a result of modeling, it was found that the heat transfer of open cell foam increases with increasing frequency for both symmetric and asymmetric flow pulsations. The heat transfer enhancement is always higher with asymmetric flow pulsations. Heat transfer at asymmetric pulsations with a frequency of 1.25 Hz improved by a factor of 1.41 compared to a steady flow. Open cell foam with asymmetric flow pulsations has a better thermal performance efficiency than symmetrical pulsations.