Engineering and Technology Journal

Computational insights into the thermal performance enhancement of solar air heater channel through metal foam integration

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al Diwaniyah, Al-Qadisiyah, 58001, Iraq .

2 Mechanical Engineering Dept., University of Technology-Iraq, Alsina’a street, 10066 Baghdad, Iraq.

Abstract

The two-dimensional numerical simulations focused on fluid flow and heat transfer within a solar air heater (SAH) channel incorporating copper metal foam with a porosity of 90% were carried out in this study. The Local Thermal Non-equilibrium (LTNE) and Darcy-Extended Forchheimer (DEF) models were employed to predict fluid and thermal transport in the partially porous SAH channel. In the free flow zone, the  turbulence model was utilized. The thermal and thermo-hydraulic performances of SAH were examined concerning several factors, including pore density ( ), Reynolds number ( ), and dimensionless foam height ( ). The results demonstrate that inserting a porous substrate into the SAH can substantially increase heat transmission. This enhancement ranges from 4.4 to 18.04 times compared to an empty duct for  at . Moreover, increased porous layer height and pore density lead to a corresponding increase in pressure drop. Evaluating both the improvement in heat transmission and the associated pressure penalty, the case with ,  and  demonstrate superior overall performance, boasting a higher Thermal Performance Factor ( ) of 2.82 when compared to an empty channel. This work presents significant findings on optimizing metal foam applications in SAH systems, offering new insights into the field.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

  • Fluid flow and heat transfer in an SAH channel with metal foam were simulated
  • The LTNE and DEF models were used.
  • The thermo-hydraulic performance of SAH was analyzed, considering several key factors.
  • Compared to the empty SAH duct, Nu rises 9-10.6 times and friction factor by 53.5-56.6 times.
  • TPF varies from 2.33 to 2.82 at Hf =0.6 and ω=10 PPI.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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