Computational Study of Heat Exchange System Performance Enhancement using Nanofluids

Abstract

In today’s rapidly changing world, design engineers face challenges never encountered. With desires for higher efficiency at reduced size, operating machines at ideal conditions is a major bottleneck. Machines designed with such ambitious requirements produce immense heat. Therefore, the heat exchange system plays the most vital part for any machine to perform optimally. In order to maintain the ideal atmosphere, heat exchange systems are constantly operating with a failure possibility. The design of heat exchange systems has evolved throughout history to meet the necessities of that particular era. In the last few decades, the research community has focused on nanofluids and their contribution to maximizing the heat transfer rate compared to traditional coolants. Using nanoparticles in the base fluid as a coolant in automobile radiators is an essential topic for engine manufacturers due to the excellent enhancement in the cooling process. This research is undertaken to analyze the radiator performance and simulate the process using different coolant fluids. In the current work automobile radiator working principle was simulated, and the obtained results are in excellent agreement with the available literature for traditional coolants. The work was extended to perform a parametric study of adding nanoparticles into conventional coolants. The results of adding nanofluids in the engine radiator predicted that the heat transfer increased by increasing the volumetric concentration of nanoparticles in the base fluid. The outlet temperature of the coolant also increases by increasing the flow rate of the coolant. 8 percent volume fraction of 𝐴𝑙2𝑂3and 𝐶𝑢𝑂 nanoparticles in base fluid results in maximum heat transfer, and hence minimum outlet temperature of the automobile radiator. The temperature reduction achieved with traditional coolant, water is 1.4% and improved to 1.74% and 1.9% for 𝐴𝑙2𝑂3 and 𝐶𝑢𝑂 at 4 L⁄min flow rate, respectively. Therefore, 𝐴𝑙2𝑂3and 𝐶𝑢𝑂 based nanofluids are 24.9% and 36.7% more efficient than water.