Heat transfer characteristics and flow features of nanofluids in parallel flat minichannels

Nanofluid in a mini/microchannel heat sink is an effective technique that combines advantages of micro/ minichannels and nanofluids to obtain high single-phase enhancement of heat transfer. Experiment comparison and numerical analysis of irreversibility are used to analyze features of Al2O3-H2O nanofluid in minichannels. Results showed that transition point of the nanofluid from laminar flow to turbulent flow is 1300. Nusselt number of the Al2O3-H2O nanofluid presents the maximum increment in the concentration of 0.01% when Re asymptotic to & nbsp;5200, with a maximum increase of 47.5%. The increase of friction factor of the nanofluid is 15.1%. Nu and f value indicated the efficient heat transfer of low-concentration nanofluids under low flow resistance compared with the results of previous studies. Thermal entropy generation rates of the nanofluid are the main irreversible loss and the frictional entropy generation rate is the main part before Re = 5000. (C)& nbsp;2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Nanofluid in a mini/microchannel heat sink shows high single-phase enhancement of heat transfer. The Nusselt number reaches the maximum increment at a concentration of 0.01% for Al2O3-H2O nanofluid, and the friction factor increases by 15.1%. Low-concentration nanofluids demonstrate efficient heat transfer under low flow resistance compared to previous studies.