International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354

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International Journal of Mechanical Sciences

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ijmecsci

Convective heat transfer enhancement using Ag-water nanofluid in a

micro-fin tube combined with non-uniform twisted tape
Smith Eiamsa-ard a,∗, Khwanchit Wongcharee b
a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Bangkok 10530, Thailand
b
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Bangkok 10530, Thailand

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Keywords: This article presents an experimental study of convective heat transfer enhancement using combined techniques.
Ag-water nanofluid One of these techniques was the use of twisted tape generating swirls along the whole tube length inserted in a
Heat exchanger micro-fin tube that effectively combined the features of extended surfaces, turbulators and artificial roughness.
Heat transfer enhancement
Nanofluids were used for improving the thermo-physical properties of the fluid. In this study, fluid flow of an
Micro-fin tube
Ag-water nanofluid in a micro-fin tube into which non-uniform twisted tapes were inserted was examined under
Twisted tape
turbulent flow. The effects of the twist ratios of non-uniform twisted-tapes (y/W in three series, 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6,
3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2 and 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8), tube and tape arrangements (counter and co-current arrangements), nanofluid
concentrations (𝜙 of 0.007, 0.016 and 0.03% by volume) were determined. The Nusselt numbers, friction factors
and the thermal performance parameters of these devices were obtained and compared with the use of micro-fin
tubes alone with a base fluid (water). Utilization of micro-fin tubes into which twisted tapes were inserted and
through which nanofluids were allowed to flow tended to increase heat transfer rates over that of the base fluid.
The experimental results revealed that heat transfer, friction loss and thermal performance factors increased
with decreasing twist ratios for non-uniform twisted tapes and increasing nanofluid concentrations. Micro-fin
tubes into which non-uniform twisted tapes were inserted in a counter-current arrangement gave higher heat
transfer enhancement than the ones in a co-current arrangement. The optimum condition was found using the
micro-fin tube with a non-uniform twisted-tape in a counter-current-arrangement with twist ratios in a series of
3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8 with a Ag-water nanofluid at a concentration of 0.3% by volume up to 112.5% for the heat transfer
rate and 1.62 for thermal performance. Furthermore, the dependence of twist ratios, tape arrangement, nanofluid
concentration and Reynolds number for enhancement of thermal performance and increased pump power due to
higher pressure losses were analysed over the range of parameters considered.

1. Introduction
Heat exchangers are essential units in several industries such the
food and chemical industries, environmental engineering, energy sav-
ing, heating, waste treatment, and electricity generation, among oth-
ers. To increase the performance of heat exchangers, heat transfer en-
hancement techniques have been developed. There are two groups of
heat transfer enhancement techniques, passive and active. Passive tech-
niques hold the advantage over active techniques, as they do not re-
quire any direct input of external power. In general, passive techniques
involve surface modification, incorporating inserts, and the use of addi-
tives. Popular passive techniques include the use of micro-fin tubes as
extended surfaces and the use of twisted tape inserts as swirl generators.
Additionally, nanofluids as relatively new class working fluids, have at-
tracted great attention due to the increasing demand of such fluids in
industrial applications.
Micro-fin tubes are commonly used in refrigeration and air-
conditioning due to their effectiveness in enhancing evaporation and
condensation heat transfer coupled with low production costs. Micro-fin
tubes have also been applied for single-phase heat transfer enhancement
in many engineering applications, such as the subcooled region of air-
cooled condensers, the superheated region of air-conditioning evapora-
tors, and the heat exchangers of water chiller systems [1–7]. The utiliza-
tion of micro-fin tubes is one of the most promising passive heat transfer
enhancement methods. The technique offer an excellent improvement
in the heat transfer rate with a relatively low increase of pressure loss.

Abbreviations: MF, micro-fin tube; C, counter-current arrangement; Co, co-current arrangement; C-MF, micro-fin tube equipped with a twisted tape (TT) insert in
a counter-current arrangement (counter swirl-flow); Co-MF, micro-fin tube equipped with twisted tape (TT) insert in co-current arrangement (co swirl-flow).
∗
Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: smith@mut.ac.th (S. Eiamsa-ard), khwanchi@mut.ac.th (K. Wongcharee).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2018.07.040
Received 1 March 2018; Received in revised form 7 July 2018; Accepted 28 July 2018
Available online 31 July 2018
0020-7403/© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354

mal conductivities. Using high concentrations of metal oxide nanoparti-

Nomenclature cles leads to the problem of higher pressure drops thus higher pumping
power requirements. Alternatively, metal particles with high thermal
A convection heat transfer surface area, m2 conductivities can be applied at relatively low concentration. Among
Cd coefficient of discharge these metal nanoparticles, silver (Ag) nanoparticles play a special role
Cp specific heat of the working fluid, J kg−1 o C−1 due to their extremely high thermal conductivity and good heat transfer
D diameter of a micro-fin tube, m properties. These particles also have good stability in base fluids that are
f friction factor ideally suitable for thermal applications [33–36].
h convective heat transfer coefficient, W m−2 o C−1 In practice, the simultaneous use of two or more heat transfer en-
k thermal conductivity the working fluid, W m−1 °C−1 hancement techniques results in synergetic effects that offer superior
L length of a preheated micro-fin tube or test section, m heat transfer rates in proportion to the sum of the corresponding val-
𝑚̇ mass flow rate the working fluid, kg s−1 ues of the individual techniques. Compound heat transfer enhancement
I current of heater (A) techniques involving the use of micro-fin tubes, twisted tape inserts and
Nu Nusselt number nanofluids were proposed in previous research. Micro-fin tubes were
P static pressure, Pa employed in conjunction with twisted tape inserts in various forms and
ΔP pressure drop, Pa such as left-right twisted tape inserts [15], dual twisted-tapes [16],
Pr Prandtl number and doubly twisted tapes [17]. The use of nanofluids (Al2 O3 /water,
q heat transfer rate, W CuO/water, Cu/water) as working fluids in smooth tubes equipped with
Re Reynolds number twisted tapes was also studied [29,31,32]. Moreover, nanofluids were
T temperature, °C also used in micro-fin tubes [17]. Recently, the simultaneous use of three
𝑇̃ mean temperature, °C heat transfer enhancement techniques (Al2 O3 /DI water nanofluids in
U velocity the working fluid, m s−1 micro-fin tube equipped with straight and left-right twisted tapes) was
V voltage power supply, V reported [37].
w tape width, m From the considerable data from previous work, there have been sev-
y twist length, m eral reports about heat transfer enhancement in a micro-fin tubes alone.
Over the past decade, several studies were done to explain the influ-
Greek symbols
ence of combined enhancement devices (micro-fin tubes / twisted tape
𝜙 volume fraction of nanoparticles, % by volume
nanofluids) where each device generated specific flow/heat-transfer
𝜂 thermal performance factor
mechanisms or fluid properties for increasing the heat transfer rate in
μ fluid dynamic viscosity, Pa s
heat exchangers. In a micro-fin, the fin near the tube wall helped to
𝜌 density of the working fluid, kg m−3
increase the turbulent flow which changed the thermal/velocity bound-
Subscripts ary. Twisted tapes were inserted along the core tube to generate con-
b bulk tinuous swirling that induced fluid mixing between the wall and core
conv convection tube regions. Moreover, the nanofluid increased the thermal conductiv-
e enhancement device ity and collision of nanoparticles. These factors promote heat transfer
f fluid while increasing fluid viscosity which diminish the fluid movement and
H hydraulic thus heat transfer. Combined enhancement devices resulted in a more
in inlet significantly increased heat transfer rate, which is the key objective of
nf nanofluid the present investigation.
np nanoparticle Although compound heat transfer enhancement was extensively
out outlet studied, the combination of micro-fin tubes with modified twisted tapes
p plain tube and silver/water nanofluids has not been reported. Therefore, combi-
w wall nation of these three heat transfer enhancement techniques was done
in the present work. Excellent heat transfer is expected from the multi-
ple effects of the combined techniques. Non-uniform twisted tapes and
Micro-fin tubes with various configurations were proposed in previous silver/water nanofluids were chosen as the inserts and working fluids
studies as shown in Table 1 [4–6,8–21]. due to their outstanding thermal properties. This work focuses on the
Twisted tapes are widely employed for producing compact heat ex- influence of nanofluid concentrations and modification of non-uniform
changers and upgrading the thermal performance of existing heat ex- twisted tapes (N-TT). The effect of twisted tape and micro-fin tube ar-
changers due to their low cost and ease of installation. Twisted tapes rangement (co-current and countercurrent arrangements) was also de-
help in transferring fluid from a tube core to the near wall region and termined. Additionally, empirical correlations were developed and re-
vice versa. Previous studies have shown that heat transfer enhancement ported.
using twisted tapes is strongly dependent on the geometric parameters of
the tape [22–30]. Twisted tapes with smaller twist ratios offer superior 2. Enhancement devices and working fluids
heat transfer enhancement and an accompanying higher pressure drop.
A reasonable tradeoff between the improved heat transfer and increased A micro-fin tube is made from copper with the dimension shown
pressure drop can be obtained using twisted tapes with appropriate twist in Table 2 and Fig. 1(a). Twisted tape was inserted into the micro-
ratios or a non-uniform twisted tape (a twisted tape with two or more fin tube in two different arrangements: (1) a co-current arrangement
twist ratios) [29–30]. (Co-MF) in which the helical direction of the twisted tape was ori-
Nanofluids are colloidal suspensions of nanoparticles in a base fluid. ented in the same direction as the helical direction of the micro-fin
Addition of nanomaterials to base fluids can lead to higher thermal con- tube, and, (2) a counter-current arrangement (C-MF), in which the he-
ductivity of these fluids and higher heat transfer rates of thermal sys- lical direction of the twisted tape was oriented in the opposite direc-
tems. Metal oxides have been widely used for nanofluid preparation ow- tion of the helical direction of the micro-fin tube (Fig. 1(b)). The gap
ing to their advantages including their relatively lower density, chemical between the micro-fin tube wall and the edge of the tape was around
stability and ease of preparation [31,32]. However, metal oxides must 0.25 mm. Each twisted tape was made of aluminum strips with a thick-
be loaded at relatively high concentrations due to their limited ther- ness 0.8 mm and a width 13.8 mm (W). They were fabricated by twisting

338
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354

a straight tape about its longitudinal axis, while held under tension as
shown in Fig. 2a. A uniform twisted tape or typical twisted tape was
twisted at a uniform twist ratio (y/W) of 3.0. Fig. 2(b and c) shows
the geometries of the non-uniform twisted tapes (N-TT). Non-uniform
twisted tapes were twisted with sequentially decreasing twist ratios in
the following sequences y/W = 3.0→2.8→2.4, y/W = 3.0→2.6→2.2 and
y/W = 3.0→2.4→1.8. The details of non-uniform twisted tapes are given
in Table 3.
Commercial spherical-shaped Ag nanoparticles with a diameter of
80 nm (Fig. 3 and Table 4) were purchased from PRIME Nanotechnol-
ogy Co. Ltd., Thailand. In a typical procedure, sodium oleate was dis-
solved in water as a surfactant. Then, the nanoparticles were gradually
added into the base fluid at various volume concentrations (𝜙) of 0.007,
0.016 and 0.03% by volume. Afterward, the suspensions were stirred
at 7200 r/min for 40 min using a dispersion mill. Finally, an ultrasonic
vibrator was used to sonicate the solution continuously for 30 min to

Table 1
Details of the previously studied micro-fin tube geometries.

Year Investigators Tube

1977 Brognaux et al. [8] Micro-fin tube

1999 Graham et al. [9] Micro-fin tube

1999 Al-Fahed et al. [10] Micro-fin tube

2004 Copetti et al. [4] Micro-fin tube

2005 Han and Lee [5] Micro-fin tube

2007 Li et al. [6] Micro-fin tube

2007 Tang et al. [11] Micro-groove fins

2007 Cheng and Chen [12] Spirally internally

ribbed tube

2008 Zdaniuk et al. [13] Helically-finned tube

2009 Webb [14] Cone roughness in

tube

(continued on next page)

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Table 1 (continued)

2010 Nagarajan et al. [15] Micro-fin tube

2012 Eiamsa-ard and Wongcha- Micro-fin tube

ree [16]

2013 Eiamsa-ard and Wongcha- Micro-fin tube

ree [17]

2013 Aroonrat et al. [18] Internally grooved

tubes

2014 Bandarra Filho and Saiz Micro-fin tube

Jabardo [19]

2015 Zhang et al. [20] Internal helical ribbed

tube

2015 Zhang et al. [21] Internally grooved

tubes

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S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354

Table 2 Table 3
Dimensional details of the micro-fin tube (MF) used in the present work. Dimensional details of the non-uniform twisted-tapes (N-TT) used in the
present work.
𝛼 tb tw e Nf Do Da 𝛽
Type y/W dy/dW y (mm)
(Degree) (mm) (mm) (mm) (-) (mm) (mm) (Degree)
48 0.5 1 0.41 34 15.91 16.41 45 N-TT 3.0 > 2.6, 3.0 > 2.6, 3.0: 2.8: 2.6, 3.0: 2.8: 2.6, 42: 39.2: 36.4, 42: 39.2: 36.4,
3.0 > 2.6, 3.0 > 2.6 3.0: 2.8: 2.6, 3.0: 2.8: 2.6 42: 39.2: 36.4, 42: 39.2: 36.4
3.0 > 2.2, 3.0 > 2.2, 3.0: 2.6: 2.2, 3.0: 2.6: 2.2, 42: 36.4: 30.8, 42: 36.4: 30.8,
3.0 > 2.2, 3.0 > 2.2 3.0: 2.6: 2.2, 3.0: 2.6: 2.2 42: 36.4: 30.8, 42: 36.4: 30.8
3.0 > 1.8, 3.0 > 1.8, 3.0: 2.4: 1.8, 3.0: 2.4: 1.8, 42: 33.6: 25.2, 42: 33.6: 25.2,
3.0 > 1.8, 3.0 > 1.8 3.0: 2.4: 1.8, 3.0: 2.4: 1.8 42: 33.6: 25.2, 42: 33.6: 25.2
TT 3.0 3.0 42

Table 4
Details and properties of the silver (Ag)
nanoparticles used in the present work.

Type Silver/Ag nanopowder

Appearance Grey powder

Average particle size 80 nm
Method of synthesis Chemical Reduction
True density 10,030 kg/m3
Specific heat (25 °C) 500 J/kg.K

the nanoparticle volume concentration (𝜙) together with the properties

of the base fluid and nanoparticles.
The density of nanofluid (𝜌nf ) was evaluated using the Pak and Cho
equation [38]:
𝜌𝑛𝑓 = 𝜙𝜌𝑛𝑝 + (1 − 𝜙)𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 (1)
where 𝜌nf is the density of the nanofluid, 𝜌np is the density of nanopar-
ticles (Ag), 𝜌water is the density of water. Here, 𝜙 is the volume concen-
tration of the nanofluid.
Specific heat (Cp ) of the nanofluid was evaluated using the Xuan and
Roetzel equation [39]:
(𝜌𝐶𝑝 )𝑛𝑓 = 𝜙(𝜌𝐶𝑝 )𝑛𝑝 + ((1 − 𝜙)(𝜌𝐶𝑝 )𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ) (2)
Cp is specific heat, and parameters subscripted with np are the prop-
erties nanoparticles.
The thermal conductivity of solid-liquid mixtures was studied by
Wasp [40], who examined homogeneous and low volume concentration
liquid-solid suspensions with randomly dispersed, uniformly sized and
non-interacting average spherical particles. The following relationship
resulted from this study:
( )
𝑘𝑛𝑓 𝑘𝑛𝑝 + 2𝑘𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 + 2𝜙 𝑘𝑛𝑝 − 𝑘𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
= ( ) (3)
𝑘𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑛𝑝 + 2𝑘𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 − 𝜙 𝑘𝑛𝑝 − 𝑘𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
k represents thermal conductivity and the subscript np represents
nanoparticles (Ag).
The viscosity of a nanofluid can be estimated with the existing rela-
tions for a two-phase mixture. Drew and Passman [41] introduced the
well-known Einstein formula for evaluating the viscosity (𝜇nf ) of a lin-
early viscous fluid of viscosity (𝜇 f ) containing a dilute suspension of
small rigid spherical particles. The formula yields:
𝜇𝑛𝑓 = 𝜇𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 (1 + 𝜂𝜙) (4)
𝜇 represents viscosity and 𝜂 = 2.5 for hard spheres.
It should be noted that water was also used as the working fluid to
Fig. 1. Details of micro-fin tube geometry and arrangements of a micro-fin tube
comapare its behavior with fluids containing nanofluids.
with twisted tape.

3. Experimental setup

obtain a stabilized suspension (Fig. 3b). Fig. 3(c) displays a scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) image of Ag nanoparticles taken at 15,000×.
It was observed that the nanoparticles were well dispersed with a level
of agglomeration.
The thermophysical properties (density, specific heat, viscosity and
thermal conductivity) of the nanofluids were calculated as a function of
The experimental setup is shown in Fig. 4. A micro-fin tube as the
test section was surrounded by copper blocks with six electrical strip
heaters (each with 1 kW capacity) to operate under a constant wall heat
flux boundary condition. Each electrical strip heater was individually
controlled with a constant current at 9 Amps via a Variac transformer.
The electrical input power was measured using a multimeter. The test

341
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee
Fig. 2. Fabrication of twisted tape and details of typical/non-uniform twisted tapes.
section was insulated with asbestos rope and glass wool minimizing heat
losses to the surroundings. A chiller was used to maintain the temper-
ature of the working fluids before supplying them to the test section.
A rotameter (Well: Z-5015) for measuring the volumetric flow rate of
working nanofluids was used in a range of 5 × 10-5 -5 × 10-4 m3 s-1 .
Experimentally, it was difficult to measure fluid temperature inside
the tube. Therefore, a mean heat transfer coefficient was calculated us-
ing the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet. The inlet
and outlet temperatures of fluid were measured using four RTDs. Each
RTD was inserted into a small hole at the inlet or outlet of the test sec-
tion. Two plastic fittings with thermowells at the inlet and outlet sec-
tions of the tube provided a thermal barrier to axial heat conduction.
Moreover, the holes were also sealed to prevent leakage. For the mea-
surement of wall temperatures of the tube, 34 T-type thermocouples
were installed along the micro-fin tube wall at 17 stations. Each T-type
thermocouple was soldered in a groove (with a depth of 0.5 mm) on the
tube wall. After soldering, high temperature silicon insulation was ap-
plied to the top of the soldered T-type thermocouples to protect them
from direct exposure to the electrical heaters. Two thermocouples were
placed at the circumference of each axial station. Temperatures were
collected at axial stations were comparable due to excellent cross flow
mixing promoted by turbulent/swirling flow. The RTDs and T-type ther-
mocouples were calibrated using two mercury thermometers with an
accuracy of 0.1 °C. Two digital pressure gauges with a ±0.1% accuracy
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International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354
were installed at the entrance and exit of the test section to measure
the net pressure drop. The data acquisition system was connected to a
personal computer to record the pressure drop data. The errors of in
the data were within ±0.2% according to the calibration results using a
mercury manometer.
4. Data reduction
Under steady state conditions, the heat transfer rate (qnf ) of the
nanofluid can be assumed to be indentical to the convective heat trans-
fer (qconv ) rate since the calibration test showed that heat losses under
thermal equilibrium were less than 3%, i.e.,:
𝑞𝑛𝑓 = 𝑞𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣 (5)
The heat transfer rate (qnf ) of the nanofluid of the fluid flowing
through the test section that can be written as:
𝑞𝑛𝑓 = 𝑚̇ 𝐶𝑝,𝑛𝑓 (𝑇𝑛𝑓 ,𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝑇𝑛𝑓 ,𝑖𝑛 ) (6)
where 𝑚̇ and Cp,nf are the mass flow rate and the specific heat of the
nanofluid. Tnf,in and Tnf,out are the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
nanofluid, respectively.
The internal convective heat transfer coefficient of the nanofluid,
(hn f ) in the micro-fin tube under uniform heat flux condition can be
calculated from:
ℎ𝑛 𝑓 = 𝑞𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣 ∕𝐴(𝑇̃𝑤 − 𝑇𝑛𝑓 ,𝑏 ) (7)
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354

The reliability of the experimental data (mass flow rate (𝑚̇ ), heat
transfer rate (qnf ), Nusselt number (Nu), Reynolds number (Re) and fric-
tion factor (f)) were evaluated using uncertainty analysis that was based
on measurement errors, as shown below [42,43]:
[( ) ( ) ( ) ]0.5
𝛿 𝑚̇ 𝛿𝐶𝑑 2 0.5𝛿𝜌𝑛𝑓 2 𝛿(Δ𝑃𝑛𝑓 ) 2 ( 𝛿𝐴 )2
= + + + (14)
𝑚̇ 𝐶𝑑 𝜌𝑛𝑓 (Δ𝑃𝑛𝑓 ) 𝐴
[ ( )2 ( )2 ]0.5
𝛿𝑞𝑛𝑓 ( )2 𝛿𝐶𝑝,𝑛𝑓 𝛿(𝑇𝑛𝑓 ,𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝑇𝑛𝑓 ,𝑖𝑛 ) 𝛿𝑞𝑛𝑓
𝛿 𝑚̇
= + + (15)
𝑞𝑛𝑓 𝑚̇ 𝐶𝑝,𝑛𝑓 (𝑇𝑛𝑓 ,𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝑇𝑛𝑓 ,𝑖𝑛 ) 𝑞𝑛𝑓
[( )2 ( )2 ( )2 ]0.5
𝛿𝑁𝑢 𝛿ℎ𝑛𝑓 𝛿𝐷ℎ 𝛿𝑘𝑛𝑓
= + + (16)
𝑁𝑢 ℎ𝑛𝑓 𝐷ℎ 𝑘𝑛𝑓

( )2 ( ) 0.5
𝛿Re𝑛𝑓 ⎡( ̇ ) 2 𝛿𝜌𝑛𝑓
)
𝛿𝐷ℎ 2
(
𝛿𝜇𝑛𝑓 2 ⎤
⎢ 𝛿𝑉 ⎥
= + + + (17)
Re𝑛𝑓 ⎢ 𝑉̇ 𝜌𝑛𝑓 𝐷ℎ 𝜇𝑛𝑓 ⎥
⎣ ⎦

( ( ) )2 ⎤0.5
⎡( ̇ )2 ( 𝛿𝜌 )2 ( 𝛿𝐷 )2 ( ) 𝛿 Δ𝑃𝑛𝑓
𝛿𝑓 ⎢ 𝛿𝑉 𝑛𝑓 ℎ 𝛿𝐿 2 ⎥
= + + + +
𝑓 ⎢ 𝑉̇ 𝜌𝑛𝑓 𝐷ℎ 𝐿 Δ𝑃𝑛𝑓 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
(18)
The experimental results show that the uncertainties in the mass flow
rate (𝑚̇ ), heat transfer rate (qnf ), Nusselt number (Nu), Reynolds number
Fig. 3. Photographic view of the Ag nanoparticles/nanofluid used in the present (Re) and friction factor (f) were 0.77–3.41%, 0.96-4.01%, 1.72–4.24%,
investigation. 0.81–2.3% and 0.91–3.87%, respectively. These uncertainties indicated
that the data were sufficiently accurate for the intended use. It is notable
that Eqs. (5)–(18) can be applied with water as a working fluid using
where is the 𝑇̃𝑤 is the mean value of the local wall temperatures at 17
the appropriate thermophysical properties of water.
axial stations. Tnf,b is the nanofluid bulk temperature, which is mean
value of the inlet and outlet temperatures (Tnf,b = (Tnf,out + Tnf,in )/2).
5. Experimental results
Combining Eqs. (5)–(7) yields:

ℎ𝑛 𝑓 = 𝑚̇ 𝐶𝑝 ,𝑛𝑓 (𝑇𝑛𝑓 ,𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝑇𝑛𝑓 ,𝑖𝑛 )∕𝐴(𝑇̃𝑤 − 𝑇𝑛𝑓 ,𝑏 )
Then, Nusselt number can be evaluated using the heat transfer coef-
ficient as:
𝑁𝑢 = ℎ𝑛𝑓 𝐷ℎ ∕𝑘𝑛𝑓
where knf is thermal conductivity of the nanofluid calculated on the basis
of the bulk temperature. Dh is the hydraulic diameter of the micro-fin
tube.
The friction factor (f) of the nanofluid across the test section can be
evaluated as:
𝑓 = Δ𝑃𝑛𝑓 𝐷ℎ ∕2𝐿𝜌𝑛𝑓 𝑈𝑛𝑓
2
where 𝜌nf is the nanofluid density and Unf is the mean testing nanofluid
velocity in a micro-fin tube defined as:
𝑈𝑛𝑓 ,𝑓 = 𝑚̇ 𝑛𝑓 ∕𝜌𝑛𝑓 ,𝑓 𝐴
where A is the cross-section area of the test section calculated based on
the hydraulic diameter of the micro-fin tube.
The Reynolds number (Re) was calculated as:
Re = 𝜌𝑛𝑓 𝑈𝑛𝑓 𝐷ℎ ∕𝜇𝑛𝑓
To evaluate the practical use of the enhancement techniques, both
heat transfer and friction loss results were determined simultaneously
in terms of a thermal performance factor (𝜂). The factor was evaluated
at equal pump power as:
𝜂 = (𝑁 𝑢∕𝑁 𝑢𝑀𝐹 )∕(𝑓 ∕𝑓𝑀𝐹 )1∕3
where Nu and f are the Nusselt number and friction factor of the micro-
fin tube using enhancement techniques (non-uniform twisted tape and
Ag-water nanofluid), while NuMF and fMF are the Nusselt number and
friction factor of the micro-fin tube without enhancement (without non-
uniform twisted tape and using water as the working fluid).
(8) The experimental results presented in this section include bench-
marking testing, effects of the twist ratio of non-uniform twisted tapes,
tube and tape arrangement, and nanofluid concentration. The first three
parts (Sections 5.1–5.3) show the results when water (base fluid) was
(9) used as the working fluid while the last part (Section 5.4) shows the
thermal behavior of nanofluids compared to those of water.
5.1. Benchmark test
The results of the smooth tube and micro-fin tube used in the present
work were compared with standard correlations [44] and those of pre-
(10) vious studies [3,15–17] to verify the experimental apparatus and proce-
dures (Fig. 5). The Nusselt numbers and friction factors of the present
smooth tube were comparable to those of Dittus-Boelter and Blasius cor-
relations [44]. This confirmed the reliability of the basic apparatus and
(11) procedures. The results of the micro-fin tube in the current study were
close to our previously reported results [16,17]. There was considerable
deviation of current results from those reported in other works [3,15].
This may be related to differences in the geometric parameters of the
micro-fin tubes.
(12)
5.2. Effect of non-uniform twisted-tape inserts (N-TT)
5.2.1. Heat transfer results
The relationship between the heat transfer and Reynolds number
(Re) in the micro-fin tubes under a uniform heat flux is shown in Fig. 6.
The heat transfer results are presented in terms of Nusselt number (Nu)
(13)
and Nusselt number ratio (Nu/NuMF ), where Nu is the Nusselt number
for a micro-fin tube with twisted tape installed, while NuMF is the Nusselt
number of the micro-fin tube alone. The heat transfer of the micro-fin
tube containing typical twisted-tape (TT) or uniform twisted tape was
also reported for comparison. For all cases studied, the heat transfer
rate or Nusselt number (Nu) increased with Reynolds number due to

343
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee
Fig. 4. Schematic diagram of the experimental apparatus.
the greater turbulence that helped to reduce thermal boundary layer
thickness. At a given Reynolds number, the Nusselt numbers (Nu) of the
micro-fin tube with non-uniform twisted-tape inserts were higher than
those of the tube without tape inserts, as can be seen in Fig. 6a. This may
have occurred when the inserts induced a swirling flow that helped in
promoting fluid mixing inside the tube. Moreover, the interaction be-
tween the secondary flow induced by the inserts and that induced by
the rough surface of the micro-fin tube also facilitated disruption of the
viscous sub-layer near tube wall. This resulted in superior heat trans-
fer. It was also found that at a given Reynolds number (Re), its associ-
ated Nusselt number with the use of non-uniform twisted-tape (N-TT)
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International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354
inserts was consistently higher than those associated with the use of
typical twisted tape. Better heat transfer can be in part attributed to
the smaller twist ratios of the non-uniform twisted-tapes since the twist
ratios these tapes varied from 1.8 to 3.0, while that of typical twisted
tape was kept constant at 3.0. The smaller and varied twist ratios of
non-uniform twisted-tapes caused stronger swirling flow and extra flow
fluctuations along the test section. Additionally, the flow fluctuation due
to the difference of tape twist ratio also caused the formation of vor-
tices that further enhanced turbulence and hence the convective heat
transfer rate. Fig. 6a shows that the non-uniform twisted-tapes with
y/W in the order of 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6, 3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2 and 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee
Fig. 5. Benchmark test of a micro-fin tube (MF).
yielded higher Nusselt numbers that the typical one by 2.3%, 5.4% and
8.0%, respectively. In other words, the non-uniform twisted-tape with
a y/W value in the order of 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8 performed better than those
with y/W in series of 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6 and 3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2 by 5.5% and
2.5%, respectively. It is notable that the micro-fin tube with the typi-
cal twisted tube yielded an approximately 40.7% higher heat transfer
than the micro-fin tube alone. Fig. 6b shows that the Nusselt number
ratio (Nu/NuMF ) increased with decreasing Reynolds numbers. At lower
fluid flows (lower Reynolds numbers), the thermal boundary layer was
thicker than at higher Reynolds numbers. Therefore, the influence of
disrupting the viscous sub-layer near tube wall by the secondary flow
was more prominent at lower Reynolds numbers.
5.2.2. Friction loss results
The friction loss results are presented in terms of friction factor (f)
and friction factor ratio (f/fMF ), where f is friction factor for the micro-fin
tube inserted with twisted-tape and fMF is friction factor for the micro-fin
tube alone (Fig. 7a and b). Generally, the friction factor consistently de-
creased with increasing Reynolds numbers (Re), while the friction factor
ratio (f/fMF ) slightly increased with increasing Reynolds numbers (Re).
At a constant Reynolds number, the micro-fin tubes into which twisted
tapes were inserted had higher friction factors than the micro-fin tube
alone, or the micro-fin tube containing a typical twisted tape (TT). The
higher dissipation of the dynamic pressure by non-uniform twisted tapes
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International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354
Fig. 6. Experimental Nusselt number results of water (base fluid) in micro-fin
tubes with twisted tapes.
(N-TT) was primarily caused by force exerted by multi-stage swirl in-
tensities and extra turbulent flow fluctuation while the typical twisted
tape (TT) generated only uniform swirling flow with low swirl intensity
(large twist ratio). The non-uniform twisted tapes (N-TT) with smaller
twist ratio caused higher friction losses since the stronger swirl inten-
sity led to higher interaction of pressure forces with inertial forces in
the boundary layer and thus, higher dissipation of dynamic pressure.
According to the results shown in Fig. 7(a), the friction factors of the
micro-fin tubes with non-uniform twisted-tapes (N-TT) with twist ratios
(y/W) in the series of 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6, 3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2 and 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8
increased by 1.89, 1.96 and 2.02 times, respectively, when compared to
that of the micro-tube alone. A non-uniform twisted tape with y/W in
the series of 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8 caused higher friction losses than the ones
with y/W in series of 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6 and 3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2 by around 6.9%
and 3.0%, respectively. This trend reflected the heat transfer results.
5.2.3. Thermal performance results
Fig. 8 shows the variation in the thermal performance factor (𝜂) with
Reynolds numbers micro-fin tubes into which non-uniform twisted-tapes
(N-TT) were inserted and those containing the typical twisted-tape. Ob-
viously, the thermal performance (𝜂) tended to increase with decreasing
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354

Reynolds numbers (Re) because the Nusselt number ratio increased and
the friction factor ratio decreased as the Reynolds number decreased.
The results indicate that the enhancing devices are more promising for
energy saving at lower Reynolds numbers. The thermal performance
factors associated with the use of non-uniform twisted-tapes (N-TT)
with twist ratios (y/W) in series of 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6, 3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2 and
3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8 were higher than those associated with the use of the
typical twisted tape by around 1.3%, 3.0% and 4.6%, respectively.
Over the range investigated, the maximum thermal performance fac-
tors of the micro-fin tube into which non-uniform twisted tapes (N-TT)
were inserted with twist ratios (y/W) in the series of 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6,
3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2 and 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8 were 1.4, 1.44 and 1.46, respectively,
while that of the micro-fin tube containing the typical twisted tape was
1.35. It is noteworthy that the thermal performance factors of the micro-
fin tube containing non-uniform twisted tapes (N-TT) with twist ratios
(y/W) in the series of 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6, 3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2 and 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8
were higher than that of the micro-fin tube alone by 33.6%, 36.1% and
38.2%, respectively.

5.3. Effect of tape in co/counter-current arrangements (Co-MF/C-MF)

5.3.1. Heat transfer results

Fig. 6a and b shows the influence of tape and tube arrangement on
heat transfer (i.e., the Nusselt number). Under comparable conditions,
the combined devices in a counter-current arrangement (C-MF) consis-
tently yielded higher heat transfer rates than ones in a co-current ar-
rangement (Co-MF). It is possible that the collision of the fluid streams
from the swirl flows induced in opposite directions (induced by C-MF)
was stronger than that from the flows in the same direction (induced by
Co-MF). Stronger collisions cause higher turbulence, better fluid mixing
and thus superior heat transfer. At similar operating conditions, the com-
bined devices in a counter-current arrangement (C-MF) with twist ratios
(y/W) in the series of 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8, 3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2 and 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6
yielded higher heat transfer rates than those ones in a co-current ar-
rangement (Co-MF) by 9.8% 10.8% and 11.3%, respectively.

5.3.2. Friction factor results

Fig. 7. Experimental friction factor results of water (base fluid) in micro-fin
tubes with twisted tapes.
The effect of tape and tube arrangement on the friction factor and
friction ratio is presented in Fig. 7a and b. Under comparable operat-
ing conditions, the compound devices in a counter-current arrangement
(C-MF) showed a higher friction factor than those in a co-current ar-
rangement (Co-MF) due to their higher turbulence (Section 5.3.1) and
thus a higher pressure loss. For the range of parameters studied, the
combined devices in a counter-current arrangement (C-MF) cause 12.4–
14.3% higher pressure losses than those in a co-current arrangement
(Co-MF).

5.3.3. Thermal performance results

Fig. 8. Experimental thermal performance factor results of water (base fluid)
in micro-fin tubes with twisted tapes.
The effect of tape and tube arrangement on the thermal perfor-
mance factor (𝜂) is shown in Fig. 8. Generally, the combined devices
in a counter-current arrangement (C-MF) offered higher thermal perfor-
mance than those in a co-current arrangement (Co-MF). The better per-
formance of the devices in a counter-current arrangement is attributable
to a favorable tradeoff between the improved heat transfer and in-
creased friction losses. At a Reynolds number of 5210, the combined
counter-current devices with twist ratios in the series of 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8,
3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2 and 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6 gave maximal thermal performance
factors of 1.46, 1.44 and 1.40, respectively, while the ones in a co-
current arrangement with the twist ratios in the series of 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8,
3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2 and 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6 give maximal thermal performance
factors of 1.35, 1.31 and 1.27, respectively. As the Reynolds number
increased, thermal performance factors of the devices in both arrange-
ments became comparable.

346
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee
Fig. 9. Experimental Nusselt number results of water (base fluid) and Ag-water nanofluids in micro-fin tubes with twisted tapes.
5.4. Effect of Ag-water nanofluid concentration
5.4.1. Heat transfer results
The influence of Ag-water nanofluid concentration (𝜙) on the Nus-
selt number (heat transfer) is presented in Fig. 9a and b. The results for
water are also reported for the purpose of comparison. Under similar op-
eration conditions, the Nusselt numbers exhibited by Ag-water nanoflu-
ids were higher than those of water (the base fluid). Heat transfer in-
creased as the Ag-water nanofluid concentration increased. Generally,
incorporation of nanoparticles in a fluid and an increase in nanopar-
ticle concentration caused several antagonistic consequences. Thermal
conductivity, collision of nanoparticles and the surface area of particles
interacting with the base fluid increased. These are influential factors for
heat transfer enhancement. Fluid viscosity increased which diminished
fluid movement and thus heat transfer. In the present study, heat trans-
fer monotonically increased. This implied the present nanofluid con-
centration range did not exceed the optimal level. Nusselt numbers of
Ag-water nanofluids, with concentrations of 0.007, 0.016 and 0.03%
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International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354
by volume, were enhanced up to 3.0%, 6.4% and 10.4% over those of
water. In other words, the Ag-water nanofluid with a concentration of
0.03% by volume yielded a higher heat transfer rate than those with
concentrations of 0.007% and 0.016% by approximately 3.8% and 7.2%,
respectively.
Godson [35] reported the use of a silver-water nanofluid with a vol-
ume concentration of 0.04% in a smooth tube at a Reynolds number
of 5000 resulted in heat transfer enhancement of only 6.08% over that
of water. In the present work, the use of a silver-water nanofluid with
the volume concentration of 0.03% resulted in as much as 8.6% en-
hancement of heat transfer enhancement compared to that of water un-
der similar operating conditions. This comparison indicates that heat
transfer enhancement by the Ag-water nanofluid in a micro-fin tube
equipped with non-uniform twisted tape was superior to that of Ag-
water nanofluid in a smooth tube. This implies that the interaction of the
compound enhancement techniques gave rise to a synergetic improve-
ment of heat transfer. The use of micro-fin tubes containing twisted
tape promoted the dispersion and random movement of Ag particles,
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee
Fig. 9. Continued
resulting in more frequent contact among the particles. This is the bene-
fit of using compound heat transfer enhancement techniques rather than
a single technique. It is also noteworthy that insertion of twisted tape
and the tube-tape arrangement had a more prominent effect on heat
transfer than the presence of Ag nanoparticles in the fluid.
5.4.2. Friction factor results
Fig. 10a and b shows that friction losses just slightly increased with
use of nanofluids compared to water (base fluid). This signifies that uti-
lizing Ag-water nanofluids is a promising method for heat transfer en-
hancement. Friction losses increased with increasing nanofluid concen-
trations due to increased fluid viscosity and shear forces on tube walls
with greater concentrations of Ag nanoparticles. The nanofluid with con-
centration of 0.03% by volume caused higher friction factors than those
with lower concentrations of 0.007% and 0.016% by about 4.3% and
4.8% for the combined devices in a counter-current arrangement and
2.8% and 4.7% for those in a co-current arrangement. Additionally, the
Ag-water nanofluids with concentrations of 0.007, 0.016 and 0.03% by
volume cause higher friction losses than water by up to 1.1, 1.5 and
5.9%, respectively.
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International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354
5.4.3. Thermal performance results
The effect of the concentration of Ag-water nanofluids (𝜙 = 0.007,
0.016 and 0.03% by volume) on the thermal performance factor is pre-
sented in Fig. 11. Over the studied concentration range, thermal per-
formance factors were above unity. This results signifies that the com-
bined techniques are promising for enhancing heat transfer and energy
savings. Nanofluids with higher concentrations gave higher thermal per-
formance factors. Under similar operating conditions, the use of nanoflu-
ids with concentrations of 0.007, 0.016 and 0.03% by volume, increased
thermal performance factors from 1.05 to 1.08, 1.6 to 1.09, and 1.8 to
1.11, respectively. Thermal performance factors offered by the nanoflu-
ids with concentrations of 0.007, 0.016 and 0.03% were higher than
that of water by up to 8.2%, 8.7% and 10.9%, respectively.
The Nusselt number ratio (Nu/NuMF ) is plotted against friction fac-
tor ratio (f/fMF ) in Fig. 12 to evaluate the tradeoff between the improved
heat transfer and increased friction loss. The effects of the tape twist ra-
tio and nanofluid concentration are shown in Fig. 12(a) and (b), respec-
tively. By reducing the twist ratio of tape, the slopes of the graph of the
Nusselt number ratio (Nu/NuMF ) and friction factor ratio (f/fMF ) were
almost constant (Fig. 12(a)), reflecting a common pattern of the tradeoff
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354

Fig. 10. Experimental friction factor results of water (base fluid) and Ag-water nanofluids in micro-fin tubes with twisted tapes.

between improved heat transfer and increased friction losses. The results equipped with non-uniform twisted tapes are presented below. The cor-
shown in Fig. 12(b) were obtained by increasing the nanofluid concen- relations are valid for the fluid flows with 5210 ≤ Re ≤ 15,420, and Ag-
tration. Obviously, increasing nanofluid concentration from 0.016% to water nanofluids with 0.007% ≤ 𝜙 ≤ 0.03%.
0.03% resulted in steeper slopes than those obtained by increasing the -For the counter-current arrangement (C-MF: N-TT),
nanofluid concentration from 0.007% to 0.016%. This comparison in- y/W = 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6
dicates that increasing nanofluid concentration from 0.016% to 0.03%
𝑁𝑢 = 0.09𝑅𝑒0.73 𝑃 𝑟0.4 (1 + 𝜙)3.05 (19)
showed a more favorable tradeoff between improved heat transfer and
increased friction losses (more gain and less loss) than increasing the
nanofluid concentration from 0.007% to 0.016%. It is possible that flu- 𝑓 = 1.87𝑅𝑒−0.3 (1 + 𝜙)2.0 (20)
ids with nanoparticle concentrations exceeding 0.016% might have ad-
equate nanoparticles for more efficient heat transfer.
𝜂 = 3.75𝑅𝑒−0.11 (1 + 𝜙)2.38 (21)
5.5. Empirical correlations
-For the counter-current arrangement (C-MF: N-TT),
The data for Ag-water nanofluids in micro-fin tubes equipped with y/W = 3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2
non-uniform twisted tapes in co-current and counter-current arrange- 𝑁𝑢 = 0.1𝑅𝑒0.73 𝑃 𝑟0.4 (1 + 𝜙)3.04 (22)
ment were fitted using least square regression to develop empirical cor-
relations of the Nusselt number (Nu), friction factor (f) and thermal
performance factor (𝜂). The empirical correlations for micro-fin tubes 𝑓 = 1.7𝑅𝑒−0.28 (1 + 𝜙)1.97 (23)

349
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354

Fig. 10. Continued

-For the co-current arrangement (Co-MF: N-TT),

𝜂 = 4.0𝑅𝑒−0.12 (1 + 𝜙)2.39 (24) y/W = y/W = 3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2
-For the counter-current arrangement (C-MF: N-TT), 𝑁𝑢 = 0.06𝑅𝑒0.77 𝑃 𝑟0.4 (1 + 𝜙)3.0 (31)
y/W = 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8
𝑁𝑢 = 0.11𝑅𝑒0.71 𝑃 𝑟0.4 (1 + 𝜙)3.04 (25) 𝑓 = 1.90𝑅𝑒−0.3 (1 + 𝜙)1.97 (32)

𝑓 = 1.59𝑅𝑒−0.27 (1 + 𝜙)2.17 (26) 𝜂 = 2.5𝑅𝑒−0.07 (1 + 𝜙)2.34 (33)

-For the co-current arrangement (Co-MF: N-TT),
𝜂 = 4.76𝑅𝑒−0.14 (1 + 𝜙)2.31 (27) y/W = 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8
-For the co-current arrangement (Co-MF: N-TT), 𝑁𝑢 = 0.08𝑅𝑒0.74 𝑃 𝑟0.4 (1 + 𝜙)2.98 (34)
y/W = 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6
𝑁𝑢 = 0.06𝑅𝑒0.77 𝑃 𝑟0.4 (1 + 𝜙)2.97 (28) 𝑓 = 1.84𝑅𝑒−0.3 (1 + 𝜙)2.03 (35)

𝑓 = 1.67𝑅𝑒−0.3 (1 + 𝜙)2.07 (29) 𝜂 = 3.31𝑅𝑒−0.1 (1 + 𝜙)2.3 (36)

Fig. 13a–c shows the experimental versus predicted results obtained
𝜂 = 2.41𝑅𝑒−0.07 (1 + 𝜙)2.28 (30) from Eqs. (19)–(36). The deviations of the predicted Nusselt numbers,

350
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee
Fig. 11. Experimental thermal performance factor results of water (base fluid) and Ag-water nanofluids in micro-fin tubes with twisted tapes.
friction factors and thermal performance factors from the experimen-
tal data were found to be ±5.7%, ±6.4% and ±7.4%, respectively. So,
it can be concluded that all of the present empirical correlations give
reasonable predictions.
5.6. Comprehensive comparison
The heat transfer and friction loss results of the present work at the
optimal conditions (Ag-water nanofluid concentration at 0.03% by vol-
ume in the micro-fin tube containing non-uniform twisted tape with
twist ratios in a series of 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8) and also the basic condition
(the micro-fin tube with water as the working fluid) were selected for
comprehensive comparison with previously reported results. The cases
used for comparison were: water in a micro-fin tube alone by Jensen and
Vlakancic [3] and Nagarajan et al. [15], Cu-water nanofluid (0.3 wt.%)
in a smooth tube with twisted tape by Khoshvaght-Aliabadi and Es-
kandari [29], Al2 O3 -water nanofluid (0.09% volume) in a smooth tube
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International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354
with twisted tape by Maddah et al. [32] and a CuO-water nanofluid
(0.03% by volume) in a micro-fin tube by Eiamsa-ard and Wongcha-
ree [16,17]. These comparisons are shown in Figs. 14 and 15. In all
cases, the Nusselt numbers tended to linearly increase with increasing
Reynolds numbers while the friction factors tended to linearly decrease.
The heat transfer and friction loss results of water in the present micro-
fin tube alone are comparable to those of similar systems [3,15]. This
comparison shows that the results in the present work are reasonable.
The heat transfer and friction loss results of the present work at the
optimal conditions (Ag-water nanofluid concentration of 0.03% by vol-
ume in the micro-fin tube containing non-uniform twisted tape with
twist ratios in a series of 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8) were higher than those ob-
tained using similar techniques [16,17,29,32]. The better heat transfer
in the present work was most likely due to the higher thermal con-
ductivity of Ag nanoparticles compared to published results of stud-
ies using Al2 O3 and CuO in addition to the use of compound techni-
ques.
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354

Fig. 12. Effects of twist ratio of twisted tapes and nanofluid concentration on
the relationship between Nusselt number ratio (Nu/NuMF ) and friction factor
ratio (f/fMF ).

6. Summary

Forced convection heat transfer enhancement, friction factor and

thermal performance characteristics of Ag-water nanofluids in a micro-
fin tube fitted with non-uniform twisted tape inserts were experimen-
tally studied. Experiments were performed using Ag-water nanofluids at
three volume concentrations, 0.007, 0.016 and 0.03%, and non-uniform
twisted tapes with various twist ratios (y/W) in series of 3.0 > 2.8 > 2.6,
3.0 > 2.6 > 2.2 and 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8 for Reynolds numbers ranging from
5210 to 15,420. The micro-fin tube and twisted tapes were employed
in co- and counter-current arrangements (Co-MF and C-MF). The major
findings of the present work are as follows:

1. Heat transfer, friction losses and thermal performance factors in-

creased with decreasing twist ratios of non-uniform twisted tapes
and increasing nanofluid concentrations (𝜙).
2. The micro-fin tubes containing non-uniform twisted-tapes in a
counter-current arrangement (C-MF) gave higher heat transfer,
friction factors and thermal performance than in a co-current ar-
rangement (Co-MF). Fig. 13. Experimental versus predicted results obtained from Eqs. (19)–(36).
3. The maximal heat transfer condition was found using Ag-water
nanofluids with a concentration of 0.03% by volume in the C-

352
S. Eiamsa-ard, K. Wongcharee
Fig. 14. Comparison of heat transfer (Nu) results of the present work with those
of previously published studies.
Fig. 15. Comparison of friction loss (f) results of the present work with those
of previously published studies.
MF micro-fin tube containing non-uniform twisted tape (N-TT)
with twist ratios (y/W) in series of 3.0 > 2.4 > 1.8. A maximal
enhanced heat transfer rate of 112.5% and thermal performance
factor of 1.62 were achieved under optimal conditions.
4. Empirical correlations for the Nusselt number, friction factor and
thermal performance were developed from the present experi-
mental results. All of these empirical correlations gave reasonable
predictions.
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International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 146–147 (2018) 337–354
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