Numerical simulation of forced convection heat transfer in porous plate channels using thermal equilibrium and nonthermal equilibrium models

A numerical study of fluid flow and convection heat transfer in a plate cha nnel filled with metallic or nonmetallic particles using both the local the rmal equilibrium model and a nonlocal thermal equilibrium model is presente d in this paper. The numerical simulation results are compared with our exp erimental data, and a new modified thermal dispersion conductivity model is presented The effects of the assumption of local thermal equilibrium versu s nonlocal thermal equilibrium and the thermal dispersion effect on the con vection heat transfer are investigated. The nonlocal thermal equilibrium mo del is appropriate for either nonmetallic or metallic porous media. The vel ocity distribution and the temperature fields are presented.