ANSYS simulation study of a low volume fraction CuO–ZnO/water hybrid nanofluid in a shell and tube heat exchanger

For the first time, the heat transfer performance of a CuO–ZnO (80:20)/water hybrid has been studied experimentally and numerically in a shell and tube heat exchanger under turbulent flow conditions nanofluid (STHE). All experiments are carried out with 0.01 ​vol% CuO–ZnO (80:20)/water hybrid nanofluid at Reynolds numbers (N_Re) ranging from 1900 to 17,500. The stabilized hybrid nanofluids (30 ​°C-Tube side) are then used as a coolant to reduce the hot fluid (60 ​°C-shell side) temperature using a STHE, with the results for the convective heat transfer coefficient, Nusselt number, friction factor, and pressure drop reported. The primary goal of this paper is to investigate the impact of hybrid nanoparticle mixing ratio optimization on STHE heat transfer efficiency under various operating conditions. According to the findings, the CuO–ZnO (80:20)/water hybrid nanofluid improved the heat transfer performance of the STHE at all Reynolds numbers. When using nanofluid over water, the Nusselt number and pressure drop were improved by approximately 33% and 13%, respectively. The hybrid nanofluid's maximum thermal performance factor and thermal efficiency enhancement were 1.45 and 7%, respectively, at N_Re ​= ​17,500. According to the study, the thermal conductivity of nanofluid varies by only 5% after ten trials. Furthermore, the ANSYS Fluent program was used to predict the behavior of the hybrid nanofluid in STHE, and the simulation results fit the experimental values very well.     

Thermal performance improvement in water nanofluid/GNP–SDBS in novel design of double-layer microchannel heat sink with sinusoidal cavities and rectangular ribs

In this numerical study, laminar flow of water nanofluid/GNP–SDBS (graphene nanoplatelet–sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) for 0–0.1% solid nanoparticles mass fraction was investigated for Reynolds numbers of 50–1000 in 3D space via finite volume method. In the newly proposed microchannel design, the cooling fluid is moving in countercurrent in the upper and lower layers of the microchannels, and there are cavities and sinusoidal routes on the solid walls of the microchannel, and the presence of rectangular ribs on the flow centerline along the fluid path enhances mixing for cooling fluid and creates better heat transfer for warm surfaces. The results of this study show that this special design of the microchannel can have a substantial increase in Nusselt number and heat transfer so that in the considered geometry by adding solid nanoparticles mass fraction it is possible to increase average Nusselt number for each Reynolds number by approximately 20%. Also, the mixing of the fluid because of formation of secondary flows has a strong effect on making the temperature distribution uniform in the cooling fluid and solid bed (wall) of the microchannel, especially in the lower layer. The upper layer of the microchannel always has a lower temperature due to indirect contact with heat flux compared with the lower layer. In this study, by increasing Reynolds number and mass fraction of solid nanoparticles the Nusselt number is increased and heat resistance of the lower wall of the microchannel is reduced. Based on the investigation of flow field and heat transfer, the use of the proposed design of the microchannel is recommended for Reynolds number less than 300.

     

Effect of Reynolds number on heat transfer and flow for multi-oxide nanofluids using numerical simulation

A numerical simulation model for laminar flow of nanofluids in a pipe with constant heat flux at the wall has been built to study the effect of Reynolds number on heat transfer and pressure loss. The investigation was performed for metallic oxide and multi-oxide nanoparticles suspended in water. The thermal conductivity and dynamic viscosity were measured for a range of temperature (10–60 °C) and volume fraction of multi-oxide nanofluid. Comparison of the thermal conductivity for monocular oxide and multi-oxide nanofluids reveals a new way to control the enhancement in nanofluid conductivity. The numerical results obtained were compared with existing well-established correlations. The predictions of the Nusselt number for nanofluids are in agreement with the Shah correlation, and the deviation in the results is less than 1 %. It is found that the pressure loss increases with the Reynolds number, nanoparticle density, and volume fraction for multi-oxide nanoparticles. However, the flow demonstrates enhancement in heat transfer which improves with increasing Reynolds number of the flow.     

Forced convection magnetohydrodynamic Al2O3–Cu/water hybrid nanofluid flow over a backward-facing step

Forced convection hybrid nanofluid flow over a backward-facing step under a non-uniform magnetic field is numerically studied using a finite volume method. The external magnetic source is placed in the step edge. The study is performed for a range of nanoparticles volume fraction, φ, from 0 to 2%, Hartmann number, Ha, from 0 to 50, and Reynolds number, Re, from 100 to 300. Results show that the reattachment length reduces by increasing volume fraction of nanoparticles and by decreasing Reynolds number. The recirculation bubble weakens and the conductive heat transfer mode growth by increasing Hartmann number at weak magnetic field intensity. It totally disappears at high Hartmann number when the convective mode dominates. The average Nusselt number increases by increasing volume fraction of nanoparticles and varies with the Hartmann number. The effects of Lorentz force and hybrid nanoparticles on the heat transfer enhancement rates are strongly linked with volume fraction of nanoparticles and Hartmann and Reynolds numbers.

     

Influence of diameter on the degradation profile of multiwall carbon nanotubes

Nanofluid and coiled tubes have been employed as two passive methods for enhancing the heat transfer. In the present study, the turbulent flow of CuO–water nanofluid in helical and conical coiled tubes was numerically investigated with constant wall temperature through mixture model. The thermophysical properties of base fluid (water) were considered as temperature-dependent functions, while Brownian effects were adopted in thermal conductivity and dynamic viscosity of nanofluid. Simulation results were validated using experimental data for heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop in helical coiled tube for different Reynolds numbers. Four different geometries were simulated and compared. The first one was a conical coiled tube; the others were helical coiled tubes whose coil diameters were minimum, maximum, and median of the conical coiled tube pitch coil diameter. The velocity profiles indicated stronger secondary flow in conical coiled tube at a specified Dean number. The obtained results also showed higher heat transfer enhancement in the conical coiled tube in comparison with helical coiled tube with the same average pitch coil diameter. Moreover, the nanoparticle-induced heat transfer enhancement was more effective in conical coiled tube.

     

Investigation of nanofluids on heat transfer enhancement in a louvered microchannel with lattice Boltzmann method

Numerical studies of laminar forced convective heat transfer and fluid flow in a 2D louvered microchannel with Al₂O₃/water nanofluids are performed by the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). Eight louvers are arranged in tandem within the single-pass microchannel. The Reynolds number based on channel hydraulic diameter and bulk mean velocity ranges from 100 to 400, where the Al₂O₃ fraction varies from 0 to 4%. A double distribution function approach is adopted for modeling fluid flow and heat transfer. Code validations are performed by comparing the streamwise Nusselt number (Nu) profiles and Fanning friction factors of the present LBM and those of the analytical solutions. Good agreements are obtained. Simulated results show that the louver microstructure can disturb the core flow and guide coolant toward the heated walls, thus enhancing the heat transfer significantly. Furthermore, the addition of nanoparticles in microchannels can also augment the heat transfer, but it creates an unnoticeable pressure loss. With both the louver microstructure and nanofluid, a maximum overall Nu enhancement of 7.06 is found relative to that of the fully developed smooth channel.

     

Pressure Drop and Performance Characteristics of Water-Based Al2O3 and CuO Nanofluids in a Triangular Duct

An experimental study is performed to determine the pressure drop and performance characteristics of Al₂O₃/water and CuO/water nanofluids in a triangular duct under constant heat flux where the flow is laminar. The effects of adding nanoparticles to the base fluid on the pressure drop and friction factor are investigated at different Reynolds numbers. The results show that at a specified Reynolds number, using the nanofluids can lead to an increase in the pressure drop by 35%. It is also found that with increases in the Reynolds number, the rate of increase in the friction factor with the volume fraction of nanoparticles is reduced. Finally, the performance characteristics of the two nanofluids are investigated using the data of pressure drop and convective heat transfer coefficient. The results show that the use of Al₂O₃/water nanofluid with volume fractions of 1.5% and 2% is not helpful in the triangular duct. It is also concluded that at the same volume fraction of nanoparticles, using Al₂O₃ nanoparticles is more beneficial than CuO nanoparticles based on the performance index.     

Numerical investigation of the magnetic field effect on the heat transfer and fluid flow of ferrofluid inside helical tube

The effect of a magnetic field on heat and fluid flow of ferrofluid in a helical tube is studied numerically. The helical tube is under constant wall temperature boundary condition. Parametric studies are done to investigate the effects of different factors such as the magnetic field gradient value and Reynolds number on heat transfer rate and pressure drop. Results indicate that the magnetic field increases the Nusselt number by about 40%. At high magnetic gradient value, Nusselt number and friction factor rise slightly, while at low magnetic gradient value, the increment of Nusselt number is considerable. Furthermore, the growth of wall shear stress on tube wall results in lower thermal–hydraulic performance at the high magnetic gradient value. There is an optimum case for thermal–hydraulic performance which results in most top performance of helical tube in the presence of the magnetic field.

     

Nanofluid flow and MHD mixed convection inside a vertical annulus with moving walls and transpiration considering the effect of Brownian motion and shape factor

In the present study, the exact solution of a nanofluid flow and mixed convection within a vertical cylindrical annulus with suction/injection, which is adjacent to the radial magnetic field, is presented with regard to the motion of cylinders’ walls. The impact of Brownian motion and shape factor on the thermal state of CuO–water nanofluid is also considered. The influence of such parameters as Hartmann number, mixed convection parameter, suction/injection, volume fraction of nanoparticles and motion of cylinders’ walls on flow and heat transfer is probed. The results show that the shape of the nanoparticles could change the thermal behavior of the nanofluid and when the nanoparticles are used in the shape of a platelet, the highest Nusselt number is obtained (about 2.5% increasement of Nusselt number on internal cylinders’ wall comparison to spherical shape). The results shed light on the fact that if, for example, the external cylinder is stationary and the internal cylinder moves in the direction of z axis, the maximum and minimum heat transfer take place on the walls of internal and external cylinders, respectively (for η?=?300, about 15% increasement of Nusselt number on internal cylinders’ wall). Furthermore, the enhancement of radius ratio between two cylinders increases the rate of heat transfer and decreases the shear stress on the internal cylinder’s wall.

     

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

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.

     

Numerical simulation of nanofluids for improved cooling efficiency in a 3D copper microchannel heat sink (MCHS)

In this paper, laminar nanofluid flow in 3D copper microchannel heat sink (MCHS) with rectangular cross section, and a constant heat flux, has been treated numerically using the computational fluid dynamics software (FLUENT). Results for the temperature and velocity distributions in the investigated MCHS are presented. In addition, experimental and numerical values are compared in terms of friction factors, convective heat transfer coefficients, wall temperature and pressure drops, for various particle volume concentrations and Reynolds numbers. The numerical results show that enhancing the heat flux has a very weak effect on the heat transfer coefficient for pure water, but an appreciable effect for the case of a nanofluid. For all considered volume fractions, the sink friction factor decreases by increasing the Reynolds number and slightly increases by increasing the volume fractions, and, with increasing the volume fractions and the Reynolds number, the pressure drop increases.     

Flow and heat transfer in non-Newtonian nanofluids over porous surfaces

In the present study, heat transfer and fluid flow of a pseudo-plastic non-Newtonian nanofluid over permeable surface has been solved in the presence of injection and suction. Similarity solution method is utilized to convert the governing partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations, which then is solved numerically using Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg fourth–fifth order (RKF45) method. The Cu, CuO, TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ nanoparticles are considered in this study along with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/water as base fluid. Validation has been done with former numerical results. The influence of power-law index, volume fraction of nanoparticles, nanoparticles type and permeability parameter on nanofluid flow and heat transfer was investigated. The results of the study illustrated that the flow and heat transfer of non-Newtonian nanofluid in the presence of suction and injection has different behaviors. For injection and the impermeable plate, the non-Newtonian nanofluid shows a better heat transfer performance compared to Newtonian nanofluid. However, changing the type of nanoparticles has a more intense influence on heat transfer process during suction. It was also observed that in injection, contrary to the other two cases, the usage of non-Newtonian nanofluid can decrease heat transfer in all cases.

     

Numerical simulation of heat transfer enhancement for natural convection in a cubical enclosure filled with Al2O3/water and Ag/water nanofluids

In the present study, the natural convective heat transfer in a cube filled with Al₂O₃/H₂O and Ag/H₂O nanofluids is investigated numerically. Commercial CFD code FLUENT has been used to simulate water-based nanofluid considering it as a single-phase fluid. The influence of different parameters, such as the Rayleigh number and the nanoparticle volume fraction, is studied. The velocity vectors and the isotherm profiles are plotted. The variation of the Average Nusselt number at the hot wall and the variation of y-component of velocity are presented and discussed. The numerical results show a decrease in the heat transfer with the increase in the particle volume fraction and the same trend in the increase of the Nusselt number with the Rayleigh number.     

Silver–water nanofluid flow and convective heat transfer in a microfin tube equipped with loose-fit twisted tapes

Heat transfer enhancement and performance of compact heat exchangers have been extensively studied in the past century for the purpose of promoting energy efficiency. Microfin tubes in single/two/multiple-phase flow heat exchangers into which twisted tape swirl generators are installed can promote heat transfer with a moderate pressure loss penalty. This article reports on the enhanced heat transfer of silver–water nanofluids in a microfin tube into which loose-fit twisted tapes are installed in a counter-flow arrangement. The experiments were carried out using nanofluids with various silver concentrations (0.007–0.03 vol%), loose-fit twisted tapes with clearance ratios (c/D) of 0.0 (tight-fit), 0.05, 0.075 and 0.1, for a twist ratio, y/W, of 2.0. The results indicate that the heat transfer rate (Nu) and pressure drop (f) increase with a decrease in clearance ratio (c/D) and increase in silver (Ag) nanoparticle concentration. Additionally, the thermal performance factor tends to increase with the decrease in Reynolds numbers.

     

Heat transfer analysis of tangent hyperbolic nanofluid in a ciliated tube with entropy generation

In this paper, we analyze the effect of heat transfer on the flow of tangent hyperbolic nanofluid in a ciliated tube (fallopian tube where embryo in blood make the development). This study will be beneficial for the researchers and medical experts in the field of embryology. The nanoparticles are beneficial to remove the cysts from the fallopian tube where development of embryo takes place. To resolves the ciliary flow problems, medical doctors use nanoparticles (drug delivery) that may create a temperature gradient. The heat transfer helps to optimize the energy for which the entropy generation is reduced. Therefore, in this research we discuss the heat transfer effect on tangent hyperbolic nanofluid and entropy generation due to ciliary movement. The governing partial differential equations are solved by HPM and software MATHEMATICA?. Effect of viscoelastic parameter, nanoparticles, cilia length and Brinkman number on the velocity, temperature and entropy generation has been illustrated with the help of graphs. Graphical results show that thermal conductivity of fluid increases by adding nanoparticles. The entropy generation due to nanoparticles will decrease the viscosity near the tube wall and blood through tube will flow with normal pressure.

     

Entropy generation of turbulent Cu–water nanofluid flow in a heat exchanger tube fitted with perforated conical rings

Entropy generation analysis for the Cu–water nanofluid flow through a heat exchanger tube equipped with perforated conical rings is numerically investigated. Frictional and thermal entropy generation rates are defined as functions of velocity and temperature gradients. Governing equations are solved by using finite volume method, and Reynolds number is in the range of 5000–15,000. The effects of geometrical and physical parameters such as Reynolds number, number of holes and nanoparticles volume fraction on the thermal and viscous entropy generation rates and Bejan number are investigated. The results indicate that the thermal irreversibility is dominant in most part of the tube. But it decreases with increasing the nanoparticle volume fraction. Frictional entropy generation reduces with increasing the number of holes from 4 to 10. This is because of stronger velocity gradient near the perforated holes. Bejan number decreases with augment of Reynolds number.

     

Koo–Kleinstreuer–Li correlation for simulation of nanofluid natural convection in hollow cavity in existence of magnetic field

The lattice Boltzmann method is used to study natural convection of a CuO/water nanofluid in a hollow cavity. The hollow walls are fixed at a uniform temperature, and the effect of an applied magnetic field is examined. The Koo–Kleinstreuer–Li model, which accounts for nanoparticle’s Brownian motion, is used to gain the nanofluid effective thermal conductivity and nanofluid viscosity. The mechanisms how the inclination angle of magnetic field, Hartmann number, Rayleigh number, hollow width and nanoparticle volume fraction affect the streamlines, isotherms and rate of heat transfer are also studied. The results show that the average Nusselt number is increased by incrementing the nanoparticle volume fraction, Ra, magnetic field inclination angle and hollow width, but decreased by the Ha. For L = 0.4, the value of Ra where the dominant mechanism of heat transfer is changed from conduction to convection is larger than 10⁵. But for L = 0.48 or 0.56, the turning point of the dominant heat transfer mechanism is at Ra < 10⁵. Besides, at L = 0.4 or 0.48, the average Nusselt numbers in hot walls are higher than those in cold wall, but the opposite trend is found at L = 0.56.

     

Natural convection of hybrid nanofluid heat transport and entropy generation in cavity by using Lattice Boltzmann Method

A mesoscopic study of natural convection due to MWCNT-Fe₃O₄/Water hybrid nanofluid is conducted utilizing the Lattice Boltzmann Method. The test fluid is filled in a differentially heated rectangular enclosure. Effects of aspect ratio in the range of 0.5–2.0, Rayleigh number varying from 10³ to 10⁵ and nanocomposite volume fraction on heat and fluid flow characteristics and entropy generation have been illustrated. It is observed that the mean Nusselt number rises with the increase in Rayleigh number, while it falls as the aspect ratio increases. However, the mean Nusselt number enhances with the increase in MWCNT-Fe₃O₄ volume fraction up to 0.001. On further increasing the volume fraction, the mean Nusselt number shows either no significant rise or deterioration for the case of MWCNT-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite. The dimensionless entropy generation number rises with the increase in the Rayleigh number. However, it falls with an increase in aspect ratio and dimensionless temperature difference. Interestingly in the case of increasing nanoparticle loading fraction, entropy generation number augments first, attains a maximum at 0.001 ?vol fraction of nanocomposite, and then it decreases. Nevertheless, at the low Rayleigh number, it keeps on rising with an increase in nanocomposite volume fraction. The best thermal performance is obtained for the cavity of 0.5 aspect ratio. A correlation for the mean Nusselt number is proposed.     

Lattice Boltzmann study of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-Fe3O4/water hybrid nanofluids natural convection heat transfer in a Π-shaped cavity equipped by hot obstacle

In the present paper, the effect of nanofluid and the hot obstacle in a Π-shaped cavity is investigated. Lattice Boltzmann method is used to simulate the fluid flow and heat transfer. The effects of the parameters such as the nanoparticle solid volume fraction, the Rayleigh number, aspect ratio of cavity and hot obstacle position on the flow pattern and heat transfer parameters are studied. The numerical results are compared with previous results for validation, and a good agreement obtained. It is found that the average Nusselt number is increased by increasing the nanoparticle solid volume fraction, the Rayleigh number and the aspect ratio of cavity. Moreover, the effect of Rayleigh number on the average Nusselt number at high Rayleigh numbers (10⁵–10⁶) is more pronounced than that at low Rayleigh numbers (10³–10⁴) due to the different heat transfer mechanisms. The position of the hot obstacle affects the heat transfer significantly. When the hot obstacle is located on the center, the heat transfer is more effective.

     

Effect of the reaction temperature on the morphology of nanosized HAp

The main purpose of this study is numerically investigating the flow and heat transfer of nanofluid flow inside a microchannel with L-shaped porous ribs as well as studying the effect of porous media properties on the performance evaluation criterion (PEC) of the fluid. In the present paper, in addition to the pure water fluid, the effect of using water/CuO nanofluid on the PEC of microchannel was investigated. The flow was simulated in four Reynolds numbers and two different volume fractions of nanoparticles in laminar flow regime. The investigated parameters are the thermal conductivity and the porosity rate of porous medium. The results indicate that with the existence of porous ribs, the nanofluid does not have a significant effect on heat transfer increase. By using porous ribs in flow with Reynolds number of 1200, the heat transfer rate increases up to 42% and in flow with Reynolds number of 100, this rate increases by 25%.