Experimental and Theoretical Modeling of the Effective Thermal Conductivity of Rough Steel Spheroid Packed Beds

The upper and lower bounds of the effective thermal conductivity of packed beds of rough spheres are evaluated using the theoretical approach of the elementary cell for two-phase systems. The solid mechanics and thermal problems are solved and the effects of roughness and packed bed structures are also examined. The numerical solution of the thermal conduction problem through the periodic regular arrangement of steel spheroids in air is determined using the Finite Element Method. The numerical results are compared with those obtained from an experimental apparatus designed and built for this purpose