Experimental investigation of forced convection heat transfer and friction factor in a tube with Fe3O4 magnetic nanofluid

• Published in: Experimental thermal and fluid science 2012-02, Vol.37, p.65-71
• Main Authors: SYAM SUNDAR, L, NAIK, M. T, SHARMA, K. V, SINGH, M. K, SIVA REDDY, T. Ch
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Friction factor; General and physical chemistry; Heat transfer; Nanocomposites; Nanofluids; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Physics; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; Thermal properties of condensed matter; Thermal properties of small particles, nanocrystals, nanotubes; Tubes
• ISSN: 0894-1777; 1879-2286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2011.10.004

The nanofluid used was a stable colloidal suspension of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles of average diameter 36 nm. The convective heat transfer coefficient and friction factor characteristics of Fe3O4 nanofluid for flow in a circular tube is evaluated experimentally in the range of 3000 < Re < 22,000 and the volume concentration range of 0 < phi < 0.6%. Nanofluid heat transfer is higher compared to water and increases with volume concentration. Correlations are developed based on the experimental data useful for the estimation of Nusselt number and friction factor of water and nanofluid for flow in a tube. The heat transfer coefficient is enhanced by 30.96% and friction factor by 10.01% at 0.6% volume concentration compared to flow of water at similar operating conditions.