Estimation of effective thermal conductivity enhancement using foam in heat exchangers based on a new analytical model

Thermal performance of open-cell metal foam has been investigated under low Reynolds number by comparing the heat transfer coefficient and thermal conductivity for the flow through a packed channel of high porosity metal foam to that of an open channel. In the case of Al-Air at porosity 0.971, the ratio of heat transfer coefficients is estimated to be 18.5 when the thermal conductivity ratio of foam matrix to fluid conductivity is 130. This demonstrates that the useusing of foam in the structure of conventional air coolers increases effective thermal conductivity, heat transfer coefficient and...