Numerical Study On A Partially Filled Channel With Open-Cell Metal Foam

Narasimmanaidu, Satishwara Rao (2020) Numerical Study On A Partially Filled Channel With Open-Cell Metal Foam. Project Report. UTeM, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

A metal foam is widely used in automotive, furniture, and construction industry. Metal foam has excellent fire penetration, thermal insulation and sound absorption properties. In this study, partially filled channel with metal foam is investigated as a replacement to a fully filled channel that causes a massive pressure drop effects. The interface of the porous medium has to be identified and remodelled to simulate the exact airflow in metal foam because of the metal foam complex interior. The objectives of this project are to model a partially filled channel with a porous medium and also to investigate the fluid flow behaviour and pressure drop in a partially filled channel. Different pore density of the open-cell aluminium foam block, 5, 10 and 30 pores per inch (PPI) foam is considered, including various foam thickness and inlet velocity. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is conducted to extend the results of past literature to obtain accurate data. The Ergun-Forcheimmer’s equation is used to define the viscous and inertial resistance in the porous medium domain while the Navier-Stokes equation was used for the clear region. Twodimensional (2D) channel configuration is developed because of its symmetrical model. A validation with 20 PPI porous medium from other literature was made. The results are acceptable. From the simulations, the velocity distribution in the channel was examined particularly at the fluid flow behaviour at upstream, partially filled and downstream sections. The pressure drop was discussed in detail by observing the contours. Comparison of velocity and pressure gradient between experimental and simulation data are also shown in the form of a graph including the in agreement results of past literature. Thus, the flows behaviour at the upstream and downstream region were also explained which are relevant to this project.

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