Using a thermal resistance approach, forced convection heat transfer through metal foam heat exchangers is studied theoretically. The complex microstructure of metal foams is modeled as a matrix of interconnected solid ligaments forming simple cubic arrays of cylinders. The geometrical parameters are evaluated from existing correlations in the literature with the exception of ligament diameter which is calculated from a compact relationship offered in the present study. The proposed, simple but accurate, thermal resistance model considers: the conduction inside the solid ligaments, the interfacial convection heat transfer, and convection heat transfer to (or from) the solid bounding walls. The present model makes it possible to conduct a parametric study. Based on the generated results, it is observed that the heat transfer rate from the heated plate has a direct relationship with the foam pore per inch (PPI) and solidity. Furthermore, it is noted that increasing the height of the metal foam layer augments the overall heat transfer rate; however, the increment is not linear. Results obtained from the proposed model were successfully compared with experimental data found in the literature for rectangular and tubular metal foam heat exchangers.
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e-mail: k.hooman@uq.edu.au
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November 2011
This article was originally published in
Journal of Heat Transfer
Research Papers
Thermal Assessment of Forced Convection Through Metal Foam Heat Exchangers
K. Hooman
K. Hooman
School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering,
e-mail: k.hooman@uq.edu.au
The University of Queensland
, Australia
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A. Tamayol
K. Hooman
School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering,
The University of Queensland
, Australia
e-mail: k.hooman@uq.edu.au
J. Heat Transfer. Nov 2011, 133(11): 111801 (7 pages)
Published Online: September 16, 2011
Article history
Received:
April 4, 2011
Revised:
June 27, 2011
Online:
September 16, 2011
Published:
September 16, 2011
Citation
Tamayol, A., and Hooman, K. (September 16, 2011). "Thermal Assessment of Forced Convection Through Metal Foam Heat Exchangers." ASME. J. Heat Transfer. November 2011; 133(11): 111801. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4004530
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