Numerical and experimental study of open-cell foams for the characterization of heat exchangers

A multiscale model of open-cell foams is developed for the characterization of heat exchangers. The model is applicable to a wide range of materials, cell sizes, and porosities. The microscopic geometry is based on a periodic model that is defined by the porosity and the specific surface area of the foam considered. The representative geometrical scales of the model are validated with microscope images and computed tomography scans. The outputs of the microscopic model are the coefficients of the pressure loss curve, the thermal conductivity, and the Nusselt number. These values are used as inputs of the macroscopic model that determines the thermal performance of a macroscopic system. The results given by the models are compared with experimental data obtained from the literature, and from an experimental setup built at CERN. It is concluded that the multiscale model provides accurate results in all open-cell foams considered. •A multiscale model of open-cell foams is developed.•The thermal performance of a heat exchanger is studied experimentally.•Numerical results from the multiscale model agree well with experimental data.