Synthesis of metal-based nanofluids and their thermo-hydraulic performance in compact heat exchanger with multi-louvered fins working under laminar conditions

• Published in: Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry 2019-02, Vol.135 (4), p.2221-2235
• Main Authors: Kumar, Vinay, Pandya, Naimish, Pandya, Bhargav, Joshi, Alpesh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum; Analytical Chemistry; Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cross flow; Density; Distilled water; Equipment and supplies; Fins; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Friction factor; Heat conductivity; Heat exchangers; Heat transfer coefficients; Heating; Inorganic Chemistry; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Nanofluids; Nanoparticles; Physical Chemistry; Physical properties; Polymer Sciences; Surface active agents; Synthesis; Thermal conductivity; Viscosity
• ISSN: 1388-6150; 1588-2926
• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-018-7304-x

Present experimental investigation incorporates characterization of Al nanopowder, synthesis of Al/water nanofluids, and effect of these nanofluids on thermal performance of compact heat exchanger. Al nanoparticles are characterized using TEM and XRD. Al/water nanofluid is prepared by dispersing metal basis aluminium nanoparticles of average 100 nm size into double distilled water at two different particle volume concentrations of 0.1 and 0.2%. The nanofluids are prepared by two-step method and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide surfactant is used to stabilize the nanofluid. Thermo-physical properties of nanofluids at two different concentrations and their variation with fluid temperature are measured experimentally. It is examined that thermal conductivity, viscosity, and density of the nanofluid increased with the increase of volume concentrations. Furthermore, by increasing the fluid temperature, thermal conductivity is intensified, while the viscosity and density are decreased. Heat transfer parameters are strong functions of these thermo-physical properties. Therefore, comprehensive findings on heat transfer coefficient, Nusselt number, colburn factor, friction factor, and effectiveness are determined experimentally for prepared nanofluids passing under laminar conditions through single-pass cross-flow compact heat exchanger attached with multi-louvered fins.