Wall Heat Transfer Characteristic of Parallel-plate Channel Filled with Open-cell Metal Foams in Large Flow Velocity Range

Abstract

Abstract High porosity open-cell metal foams can be utilized to fill parallel-plate channels for achieving efficient cooling performance. A wall heat transfer model considering viscous and inertial heat effects is given based on local thermal non-equilibrium theory. Detailed investigations are conducted on influences of parameters on cooling performance. The results indicate that an optimum velocity exists; impacts of porosity and pore size varies with thermophysical properties of fluids and flow velocity; heat transfer resistance also depends on them; increasing foam thickness enhances cooling performance for air under identical velocities but has negligible effect for water; under identical flow rates, decreasing foam thickness improves cooling performance; enlarging base surface area is an effective approach at low flow velocities.