Numerical Study for Enhancement of Heat Transfer Using Discrete Metal Foam with Varying Thickness and Porosity in Solar Air Heater by LTNE Method

A two-dimensional rectangular domain is considered with a discrete arrangement at equal distances from copper metal foam in solar air heater (SAH). The local thermal non-equilibrium model used for the analysis of heat transfer single-pass channel SAH different mass flow rates ranging 0.03 to 0.05 kg/s 850 W/m2 flux. Three pores per inch (PPI) and porosities three thicknesses are studied numerically. This paper evaluates performance 10 PPI 0.8769 porosity, 20 0.8567 30 0.92 porosity 22 mm, 44 88 mm thicknesses. Nusselt number 157.64%, 183.31%, 218.60%, respectively, higher than empty channel. factor thick 5.02% 16.61% foam, respectively. Hence, it found that can be an excellent option enhancement SAH, if designed properly.