CFD analysis on the optimization of POCS performances under randomical transformations: a bridge with open-cell foams

Periodic Open Cell Structures (POCS) have been considered as possible catalytic substrates, thanks to recent developments in the Additive Layer Manifacturing (ALM) technique. In this work, the impact of the POCS cell shape on mass transfer has been investigated through CFD simulations. An algorithm able to increase the wet surface of a simple cubic POCS has been developed, keeping constant the mean pore diameter and with negligible porosity variations. Catalytic performances of the substrates have been evaluated, suggesting the possibility to enhance the mass transfer properties of the POCS up to that of foams by continuous randomical transformation of its shape. A dedicated CFD multi-region solver has been used for this purpose, accounting for heat/mass transfer and catalytic reactions. Moreover, a fluid-dynamic approach has been proposed in order to estimate the value of tortuosity, investigating its dependency on the POCS randomization level and its effect on the flow field.(c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.