Heat transfer studies in a vertical channel filled with a porous medium

This paper reports the results of an experimental study on the enhancement in the heat transfer from a heated aluminium plate placed in a vertical channel and filled with an aluminium metal foam. Hydrodynamic and heat transfer experiments have been conducted for different foam thicknesses. The results of the hydrodynamic experiments show no significant variation in the pressure drop with an increase in the foam thickness. However, an increase in the foam thickness contributes an average heat transfer enhancement of 2 to 4 times over an empty channel for the same Reynolds number. Correlations for Nusselt number are also developed for porous and empty channels. From these correlations, the heat transfer coefficient on the heater wall is found to be proportional to the foam thickness for a given Reynolds number. However, for an empty channel, the heat transfer coefficient is found to be independent of the channel width for a given Reynolds number. ©2013 Tech Science Press.