The thermal effects of multi-walled carbon nanotube concentration on an ultrasonic vibrating finned tube heat exchanger

The present study experimentally investigates the effects of nanofluid concentration on forced convective heat transfer in an ultrasonic vibrating finned tube heat exchanger. A specific experimental setup is constructed to perform the tests, and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCN) is used as the medium fluid. A proper validation test, as well as an uncertainty analysis, is done to ensure the authenticity of the results. The effect of several parameters, including ambient temperature (30-40 degrees C), the velocity of passing air (0.1-1 m/s), and also MWCNT concentration (0.1-0.5 wt%), have been investigated. Two scenarios with and without the presence of ultrasonic vibrations are studied in detail. It is revealed that increasing nanofluid concentration can positively emphasize the ultrasonic vibration's effect while the increase of ambient temperature and passing air velocity reduces the ultrasonic effect. In the lowest ambient temperature (30 degrees C) and air velocity (0.1 m/s) of the current experiment, the outlet temperature heat transfer will increase by 19.18% in the presence of vibrations for an MWCNT concentration of 0.5 wt%. In the best condition, the heat transfer will enhance 80.52% by imposing ultrasonic vibration. This study may constitute a promising approach for taking advantage of both nanofluid and ultrasonic vibration.

Automated summary

This study experimentally investigates the effects of nanofluid concentration on forced convective heat transfer in an ultrasonic vibrating finned tube heat exchanger. The results reveal that increasing nanofluid concentration can enhance the effect of ultrasonic vibration, while the increase of ambient temperature and passing air velocity reduces the ultrasonic effect.