The influence of morphology upon two-temperature statements for convective transport in porous media

Transport models for forced, single phase fluid convection are reviewed for non-uniformly and randomly structured highly porous media. Special attention is given to the evaluation of a two-temperature energy model. For means of comparison, a one-temperature, effective thermal diffusivity model-is developed emphasizing local solid phase morphology using analytic techniques. Random characteristics of the porous medium are simulated by the use of regular and unspecified, pre-assigned solid phase morphologies. An overall coefficient of drag resistance is determined by implementing a multiple-regime superposition approach. Coefficient models ale evaluated using the governing averaged transport equations set and solved numerically. Variability of the morphology descriptors is shown to potentially govern large fluctuations in transport parameter values and distributions. Results generally compare favorably among work by Koch and Brady; Fand and Thinakaran; Adnani, Raffray, Abdou, and Catton; and Watanabe.