Effective Thermal Conductivity Modelling for Closed-Cell Porous Media with Analytical Shape Factors

This paper presents a fully analytical model for the effective thermal conductivity of two-phase porous media with two-/three-dimensional closed cells, applicable to honeycombs and closed-cell foams. The present model combines an existing analytical expression derived based on the Laplace heat conduction equation with an analytical shape factor which corrects the deviation caused from a non-circular (or non-spherical) pore inclusion. Results demonstrate the validity of the present model capable of analytically estimating the effective thermal conductivity of closed-cell porous media. The simple yet accurate model provides the physical mechanisms of how effective thermal conductivity depends upon the shape of pores.