In this study, an analytical and numerical solution of thermally developing forced convection flow of water in an aluminum metal foam elliptic annulus is presented. The 20PPI aluminum foam annulus is considered a homogeneous and isotropic porous medium. The flow field is considered axial and uniform. The results are compared with those of the empty annulus to assess the thermal performance of the used aluminum foam. The detailed mathematical and physical aspects of the convection are presented and discussed. The numerical thermal field reproduces the analytic one acting as a validation of the numerical result and a demonstration of the adequacy of the spatial resolution of the used numerical grid. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.