EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON THE HEAT TRANSFER PERFORMANCE OF IRON OXIDE AND SILICON CARBIDE NANOFLUIDS

Abstract

Increase in the heat transfer performance of traditional base fluids is obtained by adopting one of the passive heat transfer enhancement techniques, by adding additives to the base fluid. These fluids are commonly known as nanofluids which are obtained by suspension of nano-meter-sized solid particles in the base fluid. Hybrid nanofluids are the one which enhances the performance of base fluid better than the single component nanofluid due to the suspension of more than one type of nanoparticles in the base fluid. In the present investigation the heat transfer performance of iron oxide (Fe3O4) and Silicon Carbide(SiC) nanofluid suspended in 40:60 volume ratio of Ethylene Glycol and Water mixture, is determined at an operating temperature of 45°C. Experimental investigation of the thermophysical properties are performed, and the heat transfer performance of the nanofluids is determined under turbulent conditions using a Double Pipe Heat Exchanger (DPHE) with U-bend. Experiments are carried out in a turbulent regime for the nanoparticle volume concentrations ranging from 0.02% to 0.08% for flow rates ranging from 6 to 14 lpm. Results indicate that the SiC nanofluid exhibited better thermo-physical properties and heat transfer characteristics when compared with Fe3O4 nanofluids.