Thermohydraulic performance of thermal system integrated with twisted turbulator inserts using ternary hybrid nanofluids

Mono, hybrid, and ternary nanofluids were tested inside the plain and twisted-tape pipes using k-omega shear stress transport turbulence models. The Reynolds number was 5,000 <= Re <= 15,000, and thermophysical properties were calculated under the condition of 303 K. Single nanofluids (Al2O3/distilled water [DW], SiO2/DW, and ZnO/DW), hybrid nanofluids (SiO2 + Al2O3/DW, SiO2 + ZnO/DW, and ZnO + Al2O3/DW) in the mixture ratio of 80:20, and ternary nanofluids (SiO2 + Al2O3 + ZnO/DW) in the mixture ratio of 60:20:20 were estimated in different volumetric concentrations (1, 2, 3, and 4%). The twisted pipe had a higher outlet temperature than the plain pipe, while SiO2/DW had a lower T (out) value with 310.933 K (plain pipe) and 313.842 K (twisted pipe) at Re = 9,000. The thermal system gained better energy using ZnO/DW with 6178.060 W (plain pipe) and 8426.474 W (twisted pipe). Furthermore, using SiO2/DW at Re = 9,000, heat transfer improved by 18.017% (plain pipe) and 21.007% (twisted pipe). At Re = 900, the pressure in plain and twisted pipes employing SiO2/DW reduced by 167.114 and 166.994%, respectively. In general, the thermohydraulic performance of DW and nanofluids was superior to one. Meanwhile, with Re = 15,000, DW had a higher value of eta (Thermohydraulic) = 1.678.

Automated summary

Mono, hybrid, and ternary nanofluids were tested in plain and twisted-tape pipes using k-omega shear stress transport turbulence models. The thermal performance and pressure drop of different nanofluids were compared at varying Reynolds numbers. Results showed that the twisted pipe had a higher outlet temperature and better energy utilization than the plain pipe. SiO2/DW exhibited improved heat transfer performance and reduced pressure drop at Re = 9,000. Overall, nanofluids showed superior thermohydraulic performance compared to distilled water, with DW having a higher thermohydraulic efficiency at Re = 15,000.