Dispersion in Metal Foam: A Pore Scale Numerical Study
Résumé
We determine thermal dispersion in metal foams using a pore scale numerical approach. Samples are contained in a channel crossed by a steady fully established fluid flow. The size of the foam sample is chosen according to a Representative Elementary Volume (REV). Two configurations are tested with several foam structures, pore size and pore shape. In the first configuration, heat and mass fluxes are in the same direction, in the second one, fluxes are perpendicular such as in heat exchanger. Results obtained on apparent fluid phase conductivity are discussed along with pressure drop data and compared to available literature data.