Comparison between continuum and porous continuum models in studying natural convection in porous cavity with random distribution of solid obstacles

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the volume-averaged models for free convection flow in porous media.

Design/methodology/approach

A pore scale simulation is conducted against which an independent volume-averaged solver is fine-tuned.

Findings

Micro and macro scale results can merge if proper choice of local thermal non-equilibrium and thermal dispersion models are selected. This depends on the range of Ra values investigated.

Originality/value

This is the first time a work like this is published in the literature.

Citation

Miansari, M., Gorji, M., Ganji, D.D. and Hooman, K. (2015), "Comparison between continuum and porous continuum models in studying natural convection in porous cavity with random distribution of solid obstacles", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 25 No. 3, pp. 484-503. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-04-2014-0100