Estimation of heat flux bifurcation at the heated boundary of a porous medium using a pore-scale numerical simulation

Laminar steady forced convection through an array of disconnected conducting cylindrical fins is simulated by implementing a pore-scale numerical simulation. Effects of fin array porosity, fin arrangements, pore-scale Reynolds number, and the solid to fluid thermal conductivity ratio, on the heat flux bifurcation at the uniformly heated wall are investigated. The results show that decreasing the Reynolds number or increasing the solid to fluid thermal conductivity ratio monotonically increases the solid to fluid wall heat flux ratio. It is also observed that solid to fluid heat flux ratio increases with increasing the porosity. The obtained results have been compared to available models in the literature. While in some cases the results are close, errors associated with available models are analyzed and accurate correlations for heat flux bifurcation are proposed.

► Pore-scale simulation of heat and fluid flow thorough porous media is conducted.
► Effect of pertinent parameters on wall heat flux bifurcation is investigated.
► Results show solid to fluid heat flux ratio increases with increasing porosity.
► Correlations for heat flux bifurcation are proposed.