Enhanced Thermal Conductivity of Liquid Paraffin Based Nanofluids Containing Copper Nanoparticles

Abstract

This study investigates the thermal conductivity enhancement of liquid paraffin based nanofluids containing copper nanoparticles. The nanofluids were prepared by the two-step method, and the dispersant sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate was needed for the stability of the suspensions. The measurement of thermal conductivity indicated that substantial increases in thermal conductivity were seen for the nanofluids. There was an approximate linear relationship between the thermal conductivity enhancement ratios and the volume fraction of copper nanoparticles. The thermal conductivity enhancement ratio of the nanofluids with 5.0 vol% was 36%. The thermal conductivity of stable nanofluids was independent of setting time from 10 to 60 minutes. The temperature had a very small effect on the effective thermal conductivity enhanced ratio of the nanofluid. The nanofluid with high thermal conductivity could lead to better thermal performance.