Multi-Mode Heat Transfer in a Randomly Packed Bed of Cylindrical Rods Using a Finite Volume Scheme

In this paper, calculations of mixed-mode heat transfer in beds of randomly-packed cylinders are presented. An unstructured finite volume method is employed. Random packing is addressed by meshing a periodic module, and creating the bed by stacking and random lateral translation of modules. The ability of the finite volume scheme to employ arbitrary polyhedra is exploited in addressing the resulting non-conformal interfaces. Conduction and radiation are considered, but convection is ignored. Results are presented for conducting and semi-transparent cylinders for a range of fluid and solid conductivities and solid refractive indices and establish the viability and versatility of the method.