Impact of Nanoparticle Concentration on Thermal Properties of Nanofluids in Heat Exchangers

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nandha Engineering College, Perundurai 638 052, Tamil Nadu, India.

^* Corresponding Author: balakrishnankvp@gmail.com

Abstract

This research experimentally examined the efficacy of a shell & tube heat transfer running on nanofluids composed of copper nanoparticles with water (Cu-W) and alumina nanoparticles and water (Al₂O₃-W). Surface treatment of nanoparticles was omitted during the preparation of Cu-W and Al₂O₃-W nanofluids. Research on nanoparticles focused on how their concentration in a given volume affected coefficient of heat transfer, pressure drop, viscosity, thermal conductivity, and Nusselt number. Because of their one-of-a-kind intrinsic properties, the results demonstrated that nanofluids’ thermal conductivity raised by 29% and 39%, respectively, when 0.12 wt.% Cu and Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were added. Furthermore, the friction factor was increased by the nanofluids due to their higher density and viscosity, and the coefficient of heat transfer by convection was elevated by the two-phase mixture due to its improved thermal conductivity. Al₂O₃ nanofluid outperformed Cu nanofluid in terms of pressure drop due to its improved thermophysical characteristics.