Numerical simulation of forced convection in a bi-disperse porous medium channel by creating new porous micro-channels inside the porous macro-blocks

Purpose Porous medium has always been introduced as an environment for increasing heat transfer in cooling systems. However, increase in heat transfer and resolving pressure drop in the fluid flow have been focused on by researchers.The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of creating porous micro-channels inside porous macro-blocks to optimize system performance in channels. Design/methodology/approach To simulate flow field, a developed numerical code that solves Navier-Stokes equations by finite volume method and semi-implicit method for pressure linked equations (SIMPLE) algorithm will be used together with bi-disperse porous medium (BDPM) method. Working fluid is air with Pr = 0.7 in laminar state. Influence of permeability changes by creation of micro-channels containing porous medium in vertical, horizontal and cross-shape patterns will be investigated. Findings By creating porous micro-channels inside macro-blocks, not only does the heat transfer increase significantly but the pressure also drops remarkably. Increase in performance evaluation criteria (PEC) is more evident in lower Reynolds numbers that can increase the PEC to 75 per cent by creating cross-shape micro-channels. By changing the permeability of micro-channels, PEC will increase by reducing the pressure drop but it has minor changes in Nu. Research limitations/implications - The current work is applicable to optimizing system performance by decreasing the pressure drop and increasing the heat transfer. Practical implications - The developed patterns are useful in increasing the system performance including the increase in heat transfer and decrease in pressure drop in systems such as air coolers required in electrical circuits. Originality/value Development and optimization of system performance by new patterns using BDPM in comparison to the previous patterns.