A new modified Hamilton-Crosser and Nan models for thermal conductivity of different lengths carbon nanotubes water-based nanofluids

Abstract

In order to investigate the shape effect of nanoadditives on thermal conductivity of nanofluids, different length carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are made and using a two-step method, different nanofluids are prepared. The CNTs are cut into different lengths by functionalization at different refluxing times of 1, 2 and 4 hours. To probe the effect of aspect ratio of CNTs on the obtained experimental data, modified Hamilton-Crosser and Nan models are developed. It is found that the original Hamilton-Crosser and Nan models could not predict the experimental thermal conductivities. By replacing n = 6 + xL/D instead of the shape factor of n=6 in the Hamilton- Crosser, where L and D were length and diameter of CNTs and also by replacing φ (xL/D) instead of φ (volume fraction) in the Nan model, the prediction of modified equations show very good accordance with the experimental data which means the shape of nanoadditives has high impact on nanofluids’ properties.