Effects of Al2O3/ Water and Ethylene Glycol based nanofluid on heat transfer characteristics in Single pass Multi tube cross flow heat exchanger

Abstract

Experimental study was conducted to determine the change in overall heat transfer coefficient and the thermo hydraulic performance characteristics of a single pass multi tube cross flow heat exchanger using Al2O3 nanoparticles in a binary mixture of water and ethylene glycol. The base fluid was a mixture of water and ethylene glycol on 60:40% by vol. The concentration of Al2O3 nanoparticles was 0.05% and 0.10% by volume and the temperature was varied from 45 C to 55 C with flow rate from 3, 4 and 5 LPM. Thermal conductivity and viscosity were also measured. Enhancement of 6.58% in thermal conductivity was seen at 30 C while it was 8.23% at 60 C. The overall heat transfer coefficient based on the fin side heat transfer area was increased by 12.64%. The friction factor increased by 13.9% and 20.81% for 0.05% and 0.10% nano particle volume concentrations.