Thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity measurements of Al2O3 nanofluids

Thermal conductivities and specific heat capacities of nanoparticles of Al₂O₃ dispersed in water and ethylene glycol as a function of the particle volume fraction and at temperatures between 298 and 338 K were measured. The steady-state coaxial cylinders method, using a C80D microcalorimeter (Setaram, France) equipped with special calorimetric vessels, was used for the thermal conductivities measurements. The heat capacities were measured with a Micro DSC II microcalorimeter (Setaram, France) with batch cells designed in our laboratory and the “scanning or continuous method.” The Hamilton–Crosser model properly accounts for the thermal conductivity of the studied nanofluids. Assuming that the nanoparticles and the base fluid are in thermal equilibrium, the experimental specific heat capacities of nanofluids are correctly justified.