Heat transfer through metal foam–fluid system

Abstract The paper reports the current state of the art and results obtained from research into heat transfer through metal foams filled with fluid. The impact of the fluid on the value of so-called effective thermal conductivity of foam and the heat transfer mechanism in a foam–fluid system is described. The experimental research was conducted using three aluminum foams with cells that were filled with air, water and oil. A substantial impact of fluid on the effective thermal conductivity value of metal foams was found. This impact is particularly remarkable in the case of fluid circulations in cellular structure of the foam. A correlation that describes effective thermal conductivity of foam–fluid system was developed. The proposed model also finds its application for convective heat transfer in the intercellular area of foams.