Abstract: Flow and heat transfer in porous media with settlement distributed porosity is studied. Based on ‘O-shape’ ring theory and in situ measurement, a distribution function of porosity in x direction is established. Considering change of fluid density, Brinkman-Forchheimer-extended Darcy model is introduced. Energy equation is solved with continuity boundary conditions. A model of flow and heat transfer in porous media with settlement distributed porosity is established. The model is discretized with difference method. Gauss-Seidel iteration method is used. Numerical analysis shows that:Fluid flow velocity in porous media with of settlement distributed porosity is greater near wall surface, and it is small at center. Increase of porosity near wall surface reduces low velocity zone and increases high velocity zone. As porosity is small, temperature decreases linearly. As porosity is large, temperature near high and low temperature wall surface reduces rapidly. The decrease becomes slower at center. Heat is transferred through conduction and convection together. Increase of porosity increases average Nusselt number and enhances heat convection.

Key words: settlement distributed porosity, Darcy model, porous media, "O-shape" ring theory