Analytical Solution of Thermal Performance in Metal Foam Partially Filled Channel with Asymmetric Wall Heat Flux

An analytical solution is conducted on forced convection in a metal foam partially filled plate channel under asymmetric heat flux conditions, with the aim of optimizing heat transfer performance. The Darcy–Brinkman model and the local thermal non-equilibrium (LTNE) model are employed to predict hea...

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Main Authors: Xianghai Xing, Zhigen Wu, Yanping Du, Wei Lu, Yupeng Wu, Zhibo Xiong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/3/505
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author Xianghai Xing
Zhigen Wu
Yanping Du
Wei Lu
Yupeng Wu
Zhibo Xiong
author_facet Xianghai Xing
Zhigen Wu
Yanping Du
Wei Lu
Yupeng Wu
Zhibo Xiong
author_sort Xianghai Xing
collection DOAJ
description An analytical solution is conducted on forced convection in a metal foam partially filled plate channel under asymmetric heat flux conditions, with the aim of optimizing heat transfer performance. The Darcy–Brinkman model and the local thermal non-equilibrium (LTNE) model are employed to predict heat transfer characteristics under varying heat flux ratios (<i>q</i><sub>1</sub><i>/q</i><sub>2</sub>). Key parameters such as the free zone height, pore density, and thermal conductivity ratio significantly influence heat transfer efficiency. The results indicate that the height of the free region has a greater impact on the flow distribution than porosity and pore density. When the non-dimensional height of the free region is 0.3, the flow fraction in the free region reaches 80%. When the free zone height is H = 0.1, the heat exchanger heat transfer coefficient reaches its maximum value, and the combination of copper (Cu) and R134a refrigerant demonstrates superior convective heat transfer performance compared to the empty channel. Their optimization can lead to substantial improvements in the heat transfer effectiveness of the channel.
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series Energies
spelling doaj-art-88e3608b9dbb4ac5b03f604c835cf81b2025-08-20T02:48:02ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-01-0118350510.3390/en18030505Analytical Solution of Thermal Performance in Metal Foam Partially Filled Channel with Asymmetric Wall Heat FluxXianghai Xing0Zhigen Wu1Yanping Du2Wei Lu3Yupeng Wu4Zhibo Xiong5School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, ChinaSchool of Engineering, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UKSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, ChinaFaculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UKSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, ChinaAn analytical solution is conducted on forced convection in a metal foam partially filled plate channel under asymmetric heat flux conditions, with the aim of optimizing heat transfer performance. The Darcy–Brinkman model and the local thermal non-equilibrium (LTNE) model are employed to predict heat transfer characteristics under varying heat flux ratios (<i>q</i><sub>1</sub><i>/q</i><sub>2</sub>). Key parameters such as the free zone height, pore density, and thermal conductivity ratio significantly influence heat transfer efficiency. The results indicate that the height of the free region has a greater impact on the flow distribution than porosity and pore density. When the non-dimensional height of the free region is 0.3, the flow fraction in the free region reaches 80%. When the free zone height is H = 0.1, the heat exchanger heat transfer coefficient reaches its maximum value, and the combination of copper (Cu) and R134a refrigerant demonstrates superior convective heat transfer performance compared to the empty channel. Their optimization can lead to substantial improvements in the heat transfer effectiveness of the channel.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/3/505analytical solutionmetal foamasymmetric heat flux
spellingShingle Xianghai Xing
Zhigen Wu
Yanping Du
Wei Lu
Yupeng Wu
Zhibo Xiong
Analytical Solution of Thermal Performance in Metal Foam Partially Filled Channel with Asymmetric Wall Heat Flux
Energies
analytical solution
metal foam
asymmetric heat flux
title Analytical Solution of Thermal Performance in Metal Foam Partially Filled Channel with Asymmetric Wall Heat Flux
title_full Analytical Solution of Thermal Performance in Metal Foam Partially Filled Channel with Asymmetric Wall Heat Flux
title_fullStr Analytical Solution of Thermal Performance in Metal Foam Partially Filled Channel with Asymmetric Wall Heat Flux
title_full_unstemmed Analytical Solution of Thermal Performance in Metal Foam Partially Filled Channel with Asymmetric Wall Heat Flux
title_short Analytical Solution of Thermal Performance in Metal Foam Partially Filled Channel with Asymmetric Wall Heat Flux
title_sort analytical solution of thermal performance in metal foam partially filled channel with asymmetric wall heat flux
topic analytical solution
metal foam
asymmetric heat flux
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/3/505
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AT zhigenwu analyticalsolutionofthermalperformanceinmetalfoampartiallyfilledchannelwithasymmetricwallheatflux
AT yanpingdu analyticalsolutionofthermalperformanceinmetalfoampartiallyfilledchannelwithasymmetricwallheatflux
AT weilu analyticalsolutionofthermalperformanceinmetalfoampartiallyfilledchannelwithasymmetricwallheatflux
AT yupengwu analyticalsolutionofthermalperformanceinmetalfoampartiallyfilledchannelwithasymmetricwallheatflux
AT zhiboxiong analyticalsolutionofthermalperformanceinmetalfoampartiallyfilledchannelwithasymmetricwallheatflux