An experimental investigation of the effect of the addition of nano Aluminum oxide on pool boiling of refrigerant 134A

Abstract

The pool boiling of R-134a has been experimentally investigated with an addition of nano particles of Aluminum oxide. The experiments were carried out using a cylindrical stainless-steel heater. The roughness of the heater surface was changed. Different concentrations of nano Aluminum oxide particles to the base R-134a were tested. Different heat fluxes as well as different boiling pressures were considered during the experimental tests. The results show that the suspension of Al2O3 nano particles enhances heat transfer coefficient in the nucleate pool boiling zone for concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.25% by volume. Higher heat flux and pressure result in enhancements of 37.6, 55.4, 90.2 and 167.7% corresponding to 0.042, 0.84, 1.54 and 2.35 μm surface roughness respectively. The more concentration of Al2O3 nano particles deteriorates the heat transfer coefficient. An empirical correlation was deduced to formulate the relation among heat transfer coefficient, heat flux, pressure, concentration, and surface roughness within a maximum deviation of about ±9%.