Numerical investigation of forced convective heat transfer of nanofluids within an enclosure

Heat transfer applications normally observed day-to-day are mainly focused on forced convection such as the transfer of hot fluid being pumped through pipes, shell and tube heat exchanger and power plants. The heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids present within a cubical enclosure subjected to forced convection is analysed here. Assisting and opposing forced convection flows are being compared. The inlet through which a nanofluid enters the cubical enclosure at a uniform velocity is positioned at the lower portion of the left wall for the assisting case and situated at the upper portion of the left wall for the opposing case. An in-house solver based on finite difference method is developed using simplified marker and cell algorithm (SMAC) through which the simulation is performed. The nanofluid chosen here is a water-based one with various nanoparticles such as aluminium (Al), silver (Ag), aluminium oxide (Al2O3) and singled wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) which are investigated for a Reynolds number range of 103 to 105. Other parametric studies like the volume concentration is also being varied from 0% to 3%. The results of this paper tend to show that heat transfer characteristics increase with an increase in both Reynolds number and volume concentration. Forced convection occurring through assisting flow case is showing better heat transfer than in the opposing flow case. (c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the Second International Conference on Sustainable Energy Solutions for a Better Tomorrow.

Automated summary

This study analyzes the heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids under forced convection and compares the results between assisting and opposing flow cases. The findings show that heat transfer characteristics improve with an increase in Reynolds number and volume concentration, and assisting flow exhibits better heat transfer than opposing flow.