Finite-Element Analysis on Percolation Performance of Foam Zinc

With the aid of X-ray microcomputed tomography and digital image processing technology, the three-dimensional structure of foam zinc prepared by the electrodeposition process is reconstructed. Furthermore, a simplified finite-element model of foam zinc, which can more accurately reflect its structure, is proposed. Based on the Brinkman-Forchheimer-extended-Darcy law, the finite-element method is used for the numerical simulation of the percolation performance of the foam zinc. The results indicate that for high-porosity foam zinc, the pore density is the main factor affecting its percolation performance. A function is established to describe the relationship between the pore density and pressure drop. To obtain an optimum structure, a tetrakaidecahedron cylinder model is established and compared to a previously built model, and the comparison demonstrates that the optimized model performs better in the field of percolation performance.