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PII: S1359-4311(16)30744-X
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.05.086
Reference: ATE 8301
Please cite this article as: G.A. Oliveira, E.M. Cardenas Contreras, E.P. Bandarra Filho, Experimental study on the
heat transfer of MWCNT/water nanofluid flowing in a car radiator, Applied Thermal Engineering (2016), doi: http://
dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.05.086
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EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE HEAT TRANSFER OF MWCNT/WATER
*corresponding author
Abstract
and 0.16%wt. Experiments have been carried out in an experimental set up composed
by a wind tunnel that simulates the air flow through a car radiator, and a hot fluid
circuit, that circulates the nanofluid inside the radiator. The air flow rate was maintained
constant at 0.175 kg/s. The mass flow rate of the hot fluid varied from 30 up to 70 g/s
and the inlet temperature was maintained constant at 50, 60, 70 and 80ºC, respectively.
The temperature drop and heat transfer rate have been investigated. A slight- decrease
on the heat transfer rate, up to 5%, was found for all test conditions. On the other hand
1. Introduction
Nowadays the great challenge to thermal engineers is how to improve the thermal
efficiency in heat transfer processes. In this direction, the optimization of the devices is
reducing size, and consequently costs. The advent of the nanotechnology in the last
systems. In this conditions, the concept of nanofluids emerged as a new class of fluids
between 1 and 100nm dispersed in a base fluid (water, ethylene glycol, oil) (Choi,
1995). These fluids are alternative to replace the common fluids used in heat transfer
classical physical models sucha as Maxwel (1873), Hamilton and Crosser (1962), Xie et
al. (2005), Leong et al. (2006), analyzed by Oliveira et al. (2014), failed to predict
accurately the experimental results. The same behavior is observed to predict the
viscosity. Many experimental studies have been reported in the literature and most of
nanofluids. Eastman et. al. (1997), Lee et. al. (1999), Wang et al. (1999) and Das et. al.
and oxides) of different materials and achieved great improvement compared to the base
they found that the nanofluid sample with the largest aspect ratio (length by diameter)
presented the highest increase, of 17%, related to the base fluid, distilled water. On the
other hand, the viscosity of the same nanofluid sample was increased by 11.3%. Elias et
concentration tested varied between 0 and 1 %vol and the tests were performed in the
temperature range from 10 to 50ºC. The thermal conductivity was 8% higher than the
base fluid. The viscosity also increased and this effect was more pronounced at higher
temperatures. The density was also measured showing a slightly increase of 2% for the
higher concentration.
engines, Nieh et al. (2014) investigated the thermal performance of TiO 2 and Al2O3-
water using 0.2wt% of chitosan, and then mixed with ethylene glycol. The thermal
properties of nanofluids were analyzed and then the nanofluids were tested in a radiator.
The heat transfer capacity was reported to increased about 25.6%, while the pressure
drop and pumping power the augmentation was 6.1 and 2.5, respectively. Hussein et al.
were tested in an experimental set-up with the inlet temperature at the radiator between
60 and 80ºC, the volumetric flow varied from 2 up to 8 L/min. A significant increase on
the Nusselt number was found for both fluids, indicating that these fluids can increase
the heat transfer rate in car radiators. Muhammad ali et al. (2015) carried out
radiator, with volumetric concentrations between 0.01 and 0.3%. The heat transfer
enhancement for the nanofluids with volumetric concentration of 0.2% was 46% higher
compared to base fluid. Bhimani et al. (2013) investigated the thermal performance of
90 to 120 l/min. The nanoparticle concentrations varied between 0.1 and 1% vol. They
found an increase up to 45% in the heat transfer efficiency for low concentrations.
flow regime in a car radiator. Concentrations up to 0.4% were used and the inlet
temperature varied from 50 to 80ºC. The overall heat transfer coefficient was 8% higher
than the base fluid and decreases with the increment of the inlet temperature.
L/min and the nanofluid concentration between 0 and 1%. The results shown an
increase up to 40% on the heat transfer of nanofluids compared to the base fluid.
Wang et al. (2015) investigated experimentally the thermal conductivity of different
carbon nanotubes/water nanofluids, and found an increase of 16.2% for long single-
The thermal conductivity increases with the nanoparticle concentration and temperature.
nanofluids in an automotive radiator. They utilized data from the literature and
empirical correlations to modeling the thermal properties. The global heat transfer
coefficient for the nanofluids was 3.8% for nanofluids higher than to base fluid, for a
concentration 2% and Reynolds number of 6000 for the air side and 5000 for the
coolant side. This enhancement could provide a reduction of 18.7% of the radiator
Present paper reports results from an experimental investigation focusing on the thermal
of the mass flow rate varied from 30 to 70 g/s, the inlet temperature from 50 to 80ºC
and concentration from 0 to 0.3 wt%. Additionally, the nanofluids properties were
measured experimentally. To the authors´ knowledge, no other work with similar data
The preparation method for nanofluids is a delicate operation and requires special
still poorly understood. According to Sundar et al. (2014), stable, lasting suspensions
without agglomerations and, additionally, without chemical alterations of the fluid, are
essential requirements of nanofluids that must be satisfied when preparing the fluids.
3%wt. containing multi-walled carbon nanotube was acquired from Nanostructured &
Amorphous Materials, Inc. (NanoAmor). The values of the specific heat and density of
the carbon nanotubes were provided by the manufacturer, used were c p = 710 J/kgK and
r = 2.1 g/cm3.
Bandarra Filho et al. (2014). All the nanofluid samples were prepared using the same
routine which starts when the mixture goes to an interaction chamber, where the
impacts with the inner wall of the interaction chamber, microbubbles induced by
cavitation implosion energy, and high rate of shear flow. Figure 1 shows high-pressure
homogenization process.
2.2 Nanofluid characterization
It is essential to fully characterize the nanofluids for an accurate heat transfer analysis.
over the temperature range of interest. In the present study, thermal conductivity, (k),
and viscosity, (µ), were measured experimentally, while the specific heat, (cp), and
density, (ρ), were calculated based on mass and energy balance relations, from the
literature, proposed by Pak and Cho (1998) and Xuan and Roetzel (2000), as follows:
= ∙ + (1 − ) ∙ (1)
∙ = ∙ ∙ + (1 − ) ∙ ∙ (2)
Where the subscripts bf, nf and np represents base fluid, nanofluid and nanoparticle,
respectively.
The viscosity of nanofluids was measured using a viscometer SVM 3000 (Anton Paar).
The measuring principle with Peltier thermostat enables wide viscosity and temperature
ranges with a single system. This equipment is compact and versatile in use, with a
The thermal conductivity of nanofluids was measured using a transient hot bridge
sensor (Linseis). The transient hot bridge is an evolution of transient hot wire method,
however it remains a transient method, that is better than stationary one, specially due to
shorter measuring time. Also, thermal diffusivity is measured in parallel to the thermal
conductivity. In this method, a strip, that is immerged in the fluid sample, emits a
constant heat flux during the measurement. The advantages of this method compared to
the common hot wire method are related to the reduced heat loss by the electrical
conductors, the hot bridge has a better sensibility for temperature variations and it is less
experimental device was constructed in order to determine the heat transfer rate in
automotive radiators. Table 1 shows the geometry of the tested radiator. The
experimental set-up consists of a wind tunnel responsible to simulate the air conditions
and a hot fluid circuit to evaluate the nanofluid characteristics. Figure 2 shows the
schematic diagram of the experimental set-up. The air circuit was constructed to control
and measure the air conditions upstream and downstream the automotive radiator. The
aftermixing it with ambient air from the admission duct in the plenum. After being
heated, the air flow is straightened up in a honeycomb rectifier before entering the
radiator. After this, the air is directed towards a volumetric flow rate measuring section,
which includes a nozzles plate and two flow rectifiers located upstream and downstream
of the plate. The nozzles plate includes five aluminum nozzles of different diameters in
order to allow readings over a wide range of volumetric flow rates. Leaving the flow
measuring section the air is directed toward the entrance of the circulating fan. The fan
is run by a 15 HP motor controlled by a frequency inverter in such a way that the air
flow rate through the radiator can be varied over a wide range. The air mass flow rate
each: one upstream and one downstream of the radiator. The wet bulb temperature is
measured at the air inlet section, and the properties of the air downstream of the radiator
are calculated based on the conservation of the absolute humidity. For an accurate
measurement of the volumetric flow rate of the air, a calibrated set of 5 nozzles was
used, installed in a plate according to ASHRAE Standard 41.2 (1987). The nozzles have
(1989). The volumetric flow rate of the air was measured in terms of the pressure drop
across the nozzles plate by a differential pressure drop transducer. A similar differential
pressure transducer was used in the measurement of the air pressure drop across the
automotive radiator.
To measure the air flow, the wind tunnel has a plate of 5 nozzles and the air differential
differential pressure, the flow rate can be determined air mass, using the following
equations:
∙ ∙ ∙∆
̇ = (3)
̇ =∑ , ∙ ̇ (4)
The index i=1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 indicates the nozzle and , are the discharge coefficient
L/min and supports fluids at elevated temperatures. The mass flow rate can be varied by
acting of the frequency inverter of the micropump motor. Upon leaving the micropump,
the liquid is directed toward a Coriolis mass flow meter and then enter in the heat
exchanger reservoir, called thermostatic bath as can be seen in Fig. 3. In order to control
the inlet temperature of the hot fluid, a thermostatic bath was built, which provides the
desired temperature of the fluid in the inlet of the radiator. An overview of experimental
The inlet and outlet sections were connected to T-junctions and the temperatures were
measured using RTDs, resistance temperature detectors, located at a T in the inlet and
measure the pressure. The heat exchange rate can be determined from the equation
below:
̇ = ̇ ∙ , ∙∆ (6)
Where,
∆ = , − , (7)
thermocouple used in the experimental facility has been calibrated along with the data
acquisition system in a thermostatic bath. In this study, the method used to calculate the
uncertainty in the measurement, which used a confidence interval of 95%, was the least
manufacturer. Confirmation tests with a water U tube have been performed in order to
3.1.1 Viscosity
The experimental results for the viscosity showed a significant increase for nanofluid,
temperature of 30ºC, this increase was 8.5, 20.6 and 54% for the concentrations 0.05,
0.08 and 0.16wt%, respectively. The maximum increase in the viscosity was 54% for
the 0.16%wt concentration at 30ºC. For all samples tested, the viscosity decreases when
the temperature increases, and for higher temperatures the increase on the viscosity for
nanofluids compared to based fluid is lower, for example, the viscosity for nanofluid
0.16wt% concentration was 40% higher than for the water at 90ºC, and 54% higher at
Thermal conductivity tests were performed for ambient temperature of 25ºC and 50º.
water. The enhancement on the thermal conductivity was about 5% at 50ºC, for the
concentrations 0.08 and 0.16wt%. For the temperature of 25ºC the enhancement was
lower, 1.6 % for 0.16wt% concentration. A small decrement on the thermal conductivity
for concentration of 0.08wt% was observed. It is important to mention that the observed
experiments, that is, 3% of measured value. These results are shown in the Fig. 6.
3.2. Heat transfer
3.2.1.Results validation
Nusselt number was experimentally obtained for distilled water and compared
The heat transfer rate was also compared between the two main circuits (air and hot
fluid) of the experimental setup, that is, the energy balance verification was carried out
̇ = ̇ . , .∆ (9)
̇ = ̇ . , .∆ (10)
For an ideal condition, with no heat losses to the environment, ̇ = ̇ . The error on
̇ ̇
(%) = 100 ∙ ̇
(11)
This error varied between 1 and 10%, that indicates that the experimental results
obtainedfor the heat transfer rates are reliable. The error obtained for the energy balance
3.2.2.Thermal performance
0.05, 0.08 and 0.16 wt%, and mass flow rates varying from 30 up to 70 g/s. This mass
flow rate range is lower than a real car cooling system. The tests were conducted at
different inlet temperatures 50, 60, 70 and 80ºC to evaluate the effect on the thermal
Results show that the heat transfer rate were sligthly lower for the nanofluidsif
compared to water. Also, for all fluids tested in the radiator, the heat transfer rate
increases with liquid mass flow rated, as expected. Different concentrations have shown
different decrements when compared to the base fluid, and the heat transfer rate
decreases when the concentration increases. For the concentration 0.5wt%, the heat
transfer rate was almost the same of distilled water, as observed in Fig.9. For the
concentration 0.08wt%, the heat transfer rate obtained values between 3 and 8.8% lower
than the base fluid. The highest difference was achieved for 50ºC inlet temperature and
mass flow rate of 30g/s. For 80ºC and 70g/s, the decrement was lower, about 3%. These
results can be seen in Fig.10. Finally, for the highest concentration, 0.16%wt, Fig. 11,
the heat transfer rate was more significant, varying between 7.3% for 80ºC and 70g/s
4. Conclusions
temperatures (50 - 80ºC) and mass flow rates (30-70 g/s). The viscosity and thermal
from 30 up to 90ºC. The analysis of the experimental results permitted the following
conclusions:
· According to the experimental results, the viscosity of nanofluidsresulted
temperatures, the increment of the viscosity were lower, 40% for concentration
of 0.16%wt at 90ºC.
· The thermal conductivity of nanofluids resulted slightly higher than pure water
for 50ºC temperature with concentrations of 0.08 and 0.16%wt. For ambient
at higher temperatures.
· The heat transfer rates presented slighty lower values for the MWCNT
nanofluids compared to the distilled water. The higher heat transfer decrement,
· Heat transfer rates were found dependent of the temperature. An increase in the
· The greater heat transfer rates were obtained with distilled water instead of
nanofluid, indicating that this nanofluid is not ideal to replace coolant. Thus,
The authors acknowledge the support given by CNPq, CAPES and FAPEMIG to this
investigation. The authors would like to extend the acknowledgement to the FCA FIAT
Nomenclature
A area [m2]
a parameter that depends on Reynolds
CP specific heat at constant pressure [J/kgK]
CD Discharge coefficient
k thermal conductivity [W/mK]
L length of tube [m]
m& mass flow rate [kg/s]
heat transfer rate [W]
r aspect ratio
T temperature [°C]
wt mass concentration
Greek letters
ΔT differential temperature across the tube [°C]
m dynamic viscosity [kg/ms]
φ mass concentration
ρ density [kg/m3]
nondimensionals
Nu Nusselt number
Re Reynolds number
Subscripts
bf base fluid
CNT carbon nanotube
EG Ethylene Glycol
in inlet
nf nanofluid
p nanoparticle
out outlet
tun tunnel
lm logarithmic mean
liq liquid
air air
References
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
T(ºC)
Figure 5 – Experimental results of viscosity of distilled water and MWCNT with respect
to temperature range.
0.8
WATER
MWCNT 0.05wt%
0.75 MWCNT 0.08wt%
MWCNT 0.16wt%
k (W/m-K)
0.7
0.65
0.6
0.55
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
T (ºC)
200
Nu
150
100
Nu (Dittus-Boelter)
±20%
Nuexp (WATER)
50
20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 45000 50000 55000
Re
Figure 7 – Comparison of the experimental results obtained for distilled water and
theDittusBoelter correlation.
20
WATER (50ºC)
WATER (60ºC)
WATER (70ºC)
15 WATER (80ºC)
error(%)
10
0
20 30 40 50 60 70 80
mliq (g/s)
Figure 8 – Comparison of the error obtained for the energy balance between air and
liquid side.
8
Water (T in =50ºC)
7 Water (T in=60ºC)
Water (T in =70ºC)
6 Water (T in=80ºC)
CNT 0.05wt% (T in=50ºC)
CNT 0.05wt% (T in=60ºC)
5
Q[kW]
0
20 30 40 50 60 70 80
mliq [g/s]
Figure 9 – Comparison of the heat transfer rate obtained for distilled water and
8
Water (T in=50ºC)
7 Water (T in =60ºC)
Water (T in=70ºC)
6
Water (T in =80ºC)
CNT 0.08wt% (T in=50ºC)
CNT 0.08wt% (T in=60ºC)
5
Q[kW]
0
20 30 40 50 60 70 80
mliq [g/s]
Figure 10 – Comparison of the heat transfer rate obtained for distilled water and
0
20 30 40 50 60 70 80
mliq [g/s]
Figure 11 – Comparison of the heat transfer rate obtained for distilled water and
Width 480 mm
Height 300 mm
Thickness 30 mm
Tube dimensions 13 mm x 3 mm
(width x height)
Number of tubes 31
Parameter Uncertainty
Temperature ±0.15 %