Experimental study on cooling performance of nanofluid flow in a horizontal circular tube

In this experimental study, the cooling performance of alumina/water nanofluid flow in a heated copper tube with constant heat flux is explored. The experiments are conducted for the nanoparticle's concentration in the range of 0 to 10%, the Reynolds number in the range of 168 to 2031, two values of inlet temperature of fluid, 25 degrees C and 50 degrees C, and the imposed heat flux in the range of 3979 to 7957 W.m - 2. The influences of these parameters on the friction factor, Nusselt number, temperature on internal wall of tube, the bulk temperature of fluid, the profit index, and the heat transfer effectiveness ratio are investigated. The experimental data and compared with the numerical results. The experimental results clearly exhibit a good agreement with the theoretical data existing in the literature and the numerical results. The outcomes indicate that for a constant value of nanoparticles concentration, the heat transfer effectiveness ratio and the profit index increase as the inlet temperature of fluid is increased. In addition, boosting the concentration of nanoparticles causes the increase in heat transfer effectiveness ratio. The maximum heat transfer effectiveness ratio of 1.105 is achieved by using the nanofluid. The maximum profit index of 1.065 can be achieved at the concentration of 10% and the inlet temperature of 50 degrees C. The heat flux has no considerable effect on the temperature on the internal wall of tube and the bulk temperature of fluid. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This experimental study explores the cooling performance of alumina/water nanofluid flow in a heated copper tube with constant heat flux. Results show that increasing the inlet temperature of fluid and nanoparticles concentration lead to higher heat transfer effectiveness ratio and profit index. Experimental data are in good agreement with theoretical data and numerical results.