Efficiency of carbon nanotubes water based nanofluids as coolants

The thermo-physical properties of water-based nanofluids containing carbon nanotubes, stabilized by SDBS as surfactant, are experimentally studied. The effect of low nanoparticle volume fraction, ranging from 0.0055% to 0.278%, on density, thermal conductivity and viscosity of nanofluids is investigated for temperature range of 20-40 degrees C. Enhancement in density, thermal conductivity and viscosity of nanofluids with volume fraction in nanotubes is shown in comparison to base fluids and modelled from simple theoretical relationships. The influence of temperature on the thermo-physical properties of tested nanofluids is also discussed, as well as the shear rate dependence on the nanofluids viscosity. Finally, the efficiency of the tested nanofluids as cooling fluids is evaluated under laminar and turbulent flows regimes from the thermo-physical values previously determined. This may be helpful for using these nanofluids in real cooling systems. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.