A Nonequilibrium Finite-Volume Model for Conjugate Fluid/Porous/Solid Domains

ABSTRACT

A mathematical and numerical model for the treatment of conjugate fluid flow and heat transfer problems in domains containing pure fluid, porous, and pure solid regions is presented. The model is general and physically reasoned, and allows for local thermal nonequilibrium in the porous region. The model is developed for implementation on a simple collocated finite-volume grid. Special attention is given to the matching of the interfacial heat flux, the approximation of advected variables at the interface between pure fluid and porous regions, the pressure–velocity coupling at such an interface, and the estimation of pressure values at the interface.

The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support provided by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN (USA), and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Program.