Effect of magnetic field on the heat transfer rate of kerosene/Fe2O3 nanofluid in a copper oscillating heat pipe

Abstract

This paper presents the result of an experimental study on the use of Fe2O3/Kerosene nanofluid for the copper oscillating heat pipe under the magnetic field. The temperature distribution and the heat transfer rate of the heat pipe were measured with and without the magnetic field. Also, the vapor temperature was directly measured at the center core of the oscillating heat pipe by exposing the Fe2O3 to a magnetic field. The results demonstrated that the addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles could enhance the thermal performance as well as the heat transfer coefficient of the oscillating heat pipe, especially under the magnetic field. The increase in the input heat flux increased the heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator and the condenser. The temperature differences between the surface and the vapor core in the evaporator section were 3.1°C and 2°C for the copper heat pipe for the Fe2O3, without and with the magnetic field, respectively. The surface temperature was higher than the vapor temperature in the evaporator, while it was lower in the condenser.