Heat-Transfer Analysis of High Porosity Open-Cell Metal Foam

Abstract

Forced convection heat transfer in high porosity metal foam, either attached to an isothermal surface or confined between two isothermal plates, has been analyzed, assuming a repetitive simple cubic structure for the foam matrix. The model, in the microscopic level takes account of the forced convective heat transfer coupled with heat conduction through the foam fibers. Analytical expressions have been derived for the gas-solid temperature difference, total heat transfer through the foam, and efficiency of foam as an extended surface. The resulting expressions have strong resemblance with those of the conventional finned surface. The effect of porosity and foam density on the heat transfer in metallic foam has been established through parametric studies. Significant heat-transfer augmentation due to cross connections in metal struts has been noticed.