An efficient numerical method for pressure loss investigation in an oil/air separator with metal foam in an aero-engine

An efficient method of simulating pressure loss in a separator with metal foam is reported. In this method, a metal foam is modeled as a porous media having homogenized permeability and inertial resistance coefficients. The permeability and inertial resistance coefficients were obtained by a numerical method that was validated by experimental data from a literature. Then the pressure drop in the separator with metal foam replaced by porous media was efficiently simulated under different working conditions, and the results were analyzed. It was found that the porous media had a great effect on the pressure drop in the separator. As pores per inch (PPI) and rotating speed increase and porosity decreases, the pressure drop of the separator increases. The results indicate that replacing metal foam by porous media is effective and simulating the pressure drop is feasible and effective in a separator with metal foam.