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ISSN Online: 2377-424X

International Heat Transfer Conference 12
August, 18-23, 2002, Grenoble, France

Fundamentals of thermal convection in rotating porous media

Get access (open in a dialog) DOI: 10.1615/IHTC12.3190
12 pages

Abstract

The fundamental theory of flow and thermal convection in porous media is reviewed and a systematic classification and identification of the relevant problems is introduced. An initial distinction between rotating flows in isothermal heterogeneous porous systems and free convection in homogeneous non-isothermal porous systems provides the two major classes of problems to be considered. The properties of flow in rotating porous media are being demonstrated theoretically as well as experimentally and compared to the corresponding properties of flow in rotating pure fluids (i.e. in non-porous domains). Application of the latter to nonisothermal problems of thermal convection in rotating porous layers raises a wide range of distinct problems that are being reviewed in light of their theoretical, experimental as well as their applied impact. These include the effects of centrifugal as well gravity induced buoyancy on convection as well as the impact of the offset distance of the fluid saturated porous layer from the axis of rotation on the resulting heat transfer. Other important effects include the Coriolis effect on gravity driven convection in a porous layer heated from below. Examples of solutions to selected problems are presented, highlighting the significant impact of rotation on the flow in porous media.