Computational design of the flow properties of foams

Abstract

In the present studies the quantitative relationships between the structure and flow properties of porous materials are addressed. In order to investigate such relationships a series of foam structures with different porosity were characterized by computer tomography. Later, 3D image analysis was applied to obtain quantitative parameters of foam structures. In order to calculate properties of the flow through porous structures, 3D images obtained by computer tomography were numerically processed and transformed into a finite element mesh. Simulation of fluid flow was performed using a Finite Volume Method. Both qualitative characterization and numerical simulation results, when compared, enabled us to establish structure-flow relationships. The preliminary results show that the pressure drop is strongly related to the porosity of foams. The significant effect on flow properties exhibits also the diversity of pore sizes. The results will be discussed with respect to foam structure optimization for several applications. © 2012 WIT Press.