Direct simulation of thermal transport in open-cell metal foams is conducted using different periodic unit-cell geometries. The periodic unit-cell structures are constructed by assuming the pore space to be spherical and subtracting the pore space from a unit cube of the metal. Different types of packing arrangement for spheres are considered—body centered cubic, face centered cubic, and the A15 lattice (similar to a Weaire-Phelan unit cell)—which give rise to different foam structures. Effective thermal conductivity, pressure drop, and Nusselt number are computed by imposing periodic boundary conditions for aluminum foams saturated with air or water. The computed values compare well with existing experimental measurements and semiempirical models for porosities greater than 80%. The effect of different foam packing arrangements on the computed thermal and fluid flow characteristics is discussed. The capabilities and limitations of the present approach are identified.
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Simulation of Thermal Transport in Open-Cell Metal Foams: Effect of Periodic Unit-Cell Structure
Shankar Krishnan,
Shankar Krishnan
Cooling Technologies Research Center, School of Mechanical Engineering,
Purdue University
, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2088
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Suresh V. Garimella,
Suresh V. Garimella
Cooling Technologies Research Center, School of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: sureshg@ecn.purdue.edu
Purdue University
, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2088
Search for other works by this author on:
Jayathi Y. Murthy
Jayathi Y. Murthy
Cooling Technologies Research Center, School of Mechanical Engineering,
Purdue University
, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2088
Search for other works by this author on:
Shankar Krishnan
Cooling Technologies Research Center, School of Mechanical Engineering,
Purdue University
, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2088
Suresh V. Garimella
Cooling Technologies Research Center, School of Mechanical Engineering,
Purdue University
, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2088e-mail: sureshg@ecn.purdue.edu
Jayathi Y. Murthy
Cooling Technologies Research Center, School of Mechanical Engineering,
Purdue University
, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2088J. Heat Transfer. Feb 2008, 130(2): 024503 (5 pages)
Published Online: February 6, 2008
Article history
Received:
December 8, 2006
Revised:
June 4, 2007
Published:
February 6, 2008
Citation
Krishnan, S., Garimella, S. V., and Murthy, J. Y. (February 6, 2008). "Simulation of Thermal Transport in Open-Cell Metal Foams: Effect of Periodic Unit-Cell Structure." ASME. J. Heat Transfer. February 2008; 130(2): 024503. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2789718
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