Computational Modeling on Heat Transfer Enhancement and Fluid Flow Behavior of Al 2 O 3 Water Nanofluid through a Circular Duct

Abstract

In this work, heat transfer behaviour from a isothermal-walled micro channel has been investigated by using Al2O3-water nanofluid as working fluid. A computational simulation has been carried out for high Reynolds number flow, having different volume fraction of nanoparticles added to it such as; 0%, 1%, 4% and 6%. It has been observed that the properties such as; density, thermal conductivity and viscosity increase with increase in nanoparticles. On the other hand, with increase in the volume fraction of nanoparticles, the specific heat decreases. It also has been observed that the heat transfer from the hot wall increases with Reynolds number and addition of nanoparticles to the nanofluid as well. The friction factor for the flow system decreases with increase the Reynolds number, but for different nanofluids its value is very much closer to each other. With increase in volume fraction of nanoparticles, the pumping power increases. Moreover, with increase in Reynolds number, pumping power increases.