Numerical Modeling of a Turbulent Flow in a Flat Channel with a Fibrous Coating on the Walls

Turbulent forced convection heat transfer in a parallel plate channel partially or totally filled with a porous layer is studied numerically. The walls of the duct are non-permeable and heated uniformly at the same temperature. The present model adopts a single domain approach using continuity conditions at the interface. The governing equations (continuity, momentum, energy and κ-ε turbulence model) are solved by applying the finite volume method. The Darcy-Brinkman-Forchheimer model is used in momentum equations, kinetic energy and turbulent dissipation rate using the κ-ε turbulence model with adapted law of the wall. The obtained numerical results allow us to evaluate the effect of key parameters namely the Reynolds number, the thickness of the porous layer, its permeability, its porosity and the effective thermal conductivity on the flow and heat transfer. It is highlighted that the turbulent kinetic energy is strongly influenced by the permeability and the porous layer thickness. It is found that the presence of the porous medium substantially increases the heat transfer for an optimum thickness for very specific conditions.