NANOFLUIDS

Abstract

Suspended nano particles in conventional fluids are called nanofluids. .

.Recent development of nanotechnology brings out a new heat transfer coolant called
'nanofluids'. These fluids exhibit larger thermal properties than conventional coolants

Nanofluids can be considered to be the next-generation heat transfer fluids because they
offer exciting new possibilities to enhance heat transfer performance compared to pure
liquids.

Micrometer-sized particle-fluid suspensions exhibit no such dramatic enhancement.

Nanofluids are expected to have superior properties compared to conventional heat
transfer fluids, as well as fluids containing micro-sized metallic particles.

The much larger relative surface area of nanoparticles, compared to those of

conventional particles, not only significantly improves heat transfer capabilities, but also
increases the stability of the suspensions.

In this paper an attempt has been made to discuss about the enhancement of thermal
properties in nanofluids especially about the thermal conductivity.

The increase in thermal conductivity of the nanofluids in comparison with the

conventional heat transfer fluids is assumed to be because of the following mechanisms.
1) Brownian motion
2) Interfacial layer(nano layer)
3) Volume fraction

INTRODUCTION

Suspended nanoparticles in various base fluids can alter the fluid flow and heat transfer
characteristics of the base fluids. These suspensions of nano sized particles in the base
fluids are called nanofluids.
Nanofluids can be considered to be the next-generation heat transfer fluids because they
offer exciting new possibilities to enhance heat transfer performance compared to pure
liquids. The study of nanofluids has lately gained scientific interest, due to their enhanced
thermal conductivity, which would significantly improve the performance of heat transfer
equipment.
In the past, the thermal conductivity of working fluids has been augmented by suspending
Millimeter- or micrometer-sized particles in a base fluid. However, it has not been of
interest for practical applications due to problems such as sedimentation, erosion,
clogging, fouling and increased pressure drop of the flow channel.

Lately, technological progress has led to the development and production of metal
particles in nanometer scale, which, when dispersed in a conventional base fluid,
appreciably enhance its thermal conductivity. Water, ethylene glycol and various kinds of
oils are usually employed as base fluids. It seems that these suspensions, called
nanofluids, can possibly overcome the aforementioned problems, because the particles
are ultra-fine and are usually used at low particle concentrations.

Also, nanofluids can improve abrasion-related properties as compared to the

conventional solid/fluid mixtures. Successful employment of nanofluids will support the
current trend toward component miniaturization by enabling the design of smaller and
lighter heat exchanger systems.
From the fig it is evident the suspensions of nano sized particles in conventional heat
transfer fluids i.e. nanofluids help in the better functioning of the heat transfer equipment
for the following reasons.

• Better dispersion Behavior

• Less clogging and Abrasion
• Much larger Surface area-to volume Ratio

SYNTHESIS

In general, there are two methodologies used to produce nanofluids,

1. single-step method,
In the single step method the nanoparticles are produced and dispersed
simultaneously into the base fluid
2. Two step method
Here the two aforementioned processes are accomplished separately.

A single-step method is usually employed for metal nanofluid preparation, while a two-
step method applies better for nanofluids containing oxide nanoparticles. The main
advantage of the single-step technique is the minimization of nanoparticles
agglomeration.

The most well-known single-step methods are the direct evaporation approach.

Direct Evaporation 10 nm dia CuO in ethylene glycol

THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF NANO FLUIDS

The fluids that have been traditionally used for heat transfer applications have a rather
low thermal conductivity. Taking into account the rising demands of modern technology,
it has been recently proposed that dispersion of small amounts of nanometer-sized solids
in the fluid called nanofluids can enhance the thermal conductivity of the fluids.

• This increase in the thermal conductivity is predicted to be because of the

following reasons:
1. Brownian motion
2. Interfacial layer (nanolayer)
3. Volume fraction of particles

Brownian motion

It has been found that the Brownian motion of nanoparticles at the molecular and
nanoscale level is a key mechanism governing the thermal behavior of nanoparticle–fluid
suspensions ("nanofluids"). The enhancement in the effective thermal conductivity of
nanofluids is due mainly to the localized convection caused by the Brownian movement
of the nanoparticles.

• It is postulated that the enhanced thermal conductivity of a nanofluid, when

compared to conventional predictions, is mainly due to
• Brownian motion which produces micro-mixing.
• This effect is additive to the thermal conductivity of a static dilute suspension.
• keff = kstatic + kbrownian
• Since the speed of thermal wave propagation is much faster than the particle
Brownian motion, the static part cannot be neglected.
Brownian motion of nanoparticles

Interfacial layer (nanolayer)

Although liquid molecules close to a solid surface are known to form

layered structures , little is known about the connection between this
nanolayer and the thermal properties of solid/liquid suspensions.

It is assumed that the solid-like nanolayer acts as a thermal bridge

between a solid nanoparticle and a bulk liquid and so is key to
enhancing thermal conductivity. From
this thermally bridging nanolayer idea, a structural model of nanofluids
that consists of solid was suggested. nanoparticles, a bulk liquid, and
solid-like nanolayers.
 Conventional pictures of solid/liquid suspensions do not have this
nanolayer.
The thermal conductivity of the nanolayer on the surface of the
nanoparticle is not known.

However, because the layered molecules are in an intermediate

Physical state between a bulk liquid and a solid the solid-like nanolayer
of liquid molecules would be expected to lead to a higher thermal
Conductivity than that of the bulk liquid.

Schematic cross section of nanofluid structure consisting of nanoparticles, bulk liquid,

and nanolayers at solid/liquid interface.
Single spherical particle with interfacial layer in a fluid medium.

Volume fraction

Highly conductive nanoparticles of very low volume fractions distributed in a quiescent

liquid (called ‘nanofluids’) may measurably increase the effective
thermal conductivity of the suspension when compared to the pure liquid.
CONCLUSIONS

● Many studies have observed significantly improved heat transfer Properties in

nanofluids (thermal conductivity, Heat flux, heat transfer coefficient)

● many conflicts exist between different studies

● Different sample preparation techniques, particle size, surface

Treatment, fluid and nanoparticle materials, measurement techniques
May be important

● Degree of interaction between particles appears to be important

● New theories are needed that take into account all important
Characteristics of nanofluids.
• The development of nanofluids is hindered by the lack of theoretical
understanding of the mechanisms.
REFERENCES

Mechanisms of Enhanced Heat Transfer in Nanofluids by J.A. Eastman, Materials

Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory

Document By
SANTOSH BHARADWAJ REDDY
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