The impact of ZrO2/SiO2 and ZrO2/SiO2@PANI nanofluid on the performance of pulsating heat pipe, an experimental study

The improvement of the efficiency of heat exchangers has always been one of the most critical concerns of industry. Pulsating heat pipes are a new and high-efficiency technology in the field of heat transfer. Pulsating heat pipes are widely used in solar water heaters, solar water desalination systems, etc. In this study, the effect of different nanofluids on the performance of heat pipes was investigated. ZrO2/SiO2 nanocomposites were tested under functionalized and non-functionalized states in a pulsating heat pipe. For this purpose, the heat pipe was charged with each nanofluid at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g L-1, and the thermal resistance of the pipe was compared as an output parameter. The thermal resistance for different nanofluids was defined and compared at different input powers of the evaporator and a constant filling ratio of 50%. The obtained results showed that nanofluids as a working fluid could improve the heat transfer of pulsating heat pipe compared to the working fluid of water and reduce the thermal resistance. The nanofluid with a concentration of 0.25 g L-1 exhibited the best performance. In this case, the resistance of pulsating heat pipe at some fluxes was decreased up to 48%. Graphic abstract

Automated summary

This study investigated the effect of different nanofluids on the performance of heat pipes, showing that nanofluids can improve heat transfer efficiency and reduce thermal resistance in pulsating heat pipes. The nanofluid with a concentration of 0.25 g/L exhibited the best performance, reducing the thermal resistance of the heat pipe by up to 48% at some fluxes.