Flow visualization study of partially filled channel with aluminium foam block

Numerical and Experimental Study of Flow Behaviours in Porous Structure of Aluminium Metal Foam

“…This study used ANSYS-FLUENT v15.2 software to conduct simulations on flow behaviours across a partially filled channel with 10 PPI and 30 PPI metal foam and investigate the pressure drop performances. A twodimensional computational domain was considered based on the symmetry design of a rectangular channel 7) as shown in Fig. 1.…”

“…Many numerical studies assumed the classical model of porous media would be able to describe the flow behaviours in the partially filled configuration as accurately as the fully filled configuration. However, experimental results with real foam samples show the possibility of stagnant regions in the porous structure and the existence of secondary flows 7) . Thus, the assumption of uniform pore velocity, no-slip or jump condition at the foam interface could be inaccurate to explain the exact flow behaviours in the channel.…”

“…In addition, flow visualization using the infrared thermography (IRT) technique was also conducted. The results are compared to past experimental data 7) .…”

“…However, there should be a sound basis of the underlying theory that has been validated by experimental data, particularly for the open-cell metal foam, considering its complex porous structure and geometrical arrangement. Since the experimental studies are really limited, it could be the reason for the missing information on the secondary flows and unsaturated (no flow) regions in the partially filled design 7) . It is a common approach to adapt Darcy's Law into open-cell metal foam studies, assuming average flow rate and saturated flows in its porous structure.…”

“…It is a common approach to adapt Darcy's Law into open-cell metal foam studies, assuming average flow rate and saturated flows in its porous structure. However, in the case of a partially filled setup with high enough open-cell metal foam, the saturated flow assumption is not necessarily true, as the randomness and interconnected pores can be a significant barrier, forcing the fluid to leave the porous region 7) . As a result, some of the pore spaces are no longer filled with fluid.…”