Modeling the effective thermal conductivity for disperse systems with high solid mass fractions

An analytical model was presented for calculating the effective thermal conductivity for disperse systems based on fractal theory and percolation theory. The shortcomings of previous models for the high mass fraction of solid particles can be overcome by the recent model. Experiments were conducted on liquid phase mixed aluminum powder, copper powder and graphite powder, and the experimental results were compared with the model results. The results indicate that the proposed model is in good agreement with the experimental results, whereas the Maxwell-Eucken model deviates from the test results at a high mass fraction. The new model also provides more structural models using the modeling procedure previously proposed by authors. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.