Wall Heat Transfer Characteristic of Parallel-Plate Channel Filled With Open-Cell Metal Foams in Large Flow Velocity Range

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 nonequilibrium 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 depend on thermophysical properties of fluids and flow velocity; heat transfer resistance also varies with 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.