Fluid Flow Analysis in a Partially Filled Horizontal Channel with a Metal Foam Block—A Numerical Study

Abstract

This numerical study investigated fluid flow behaviour in a horizontal channel partially filled with a metal foam block with various foam lengths. The effect of inlet velocities from 6.5 to 12.5 m/s and different pore densities from 5 to 30 PPI is analyzed. Results show that the location of eddy formation, the magnitude of pressure drop, and friction factor vary with the inlet velocity, foam length, and pore density. Pressure gradient increased with inlet velocity, PPI, and lflf,max, with the highest value of approximately 1190 Pa/m for the case of 30 PPI, 12.5 m/s, and lflf,max = 1. The friction factor increased with PPI, lflf,max and decreased with inlet velocity with a maximum value of 4.2 for the case of 30 PPI, 6.5 m/s, and lflf,max = 1. Low inlet velocity and high PPI result in more deviation of fluid flow from the bulk flow direction, upstream of the block. There is a tendency for early variation of fluid flow for more extended foam blocks. © 2024, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.