Experimental analysis of thermal performance factor for double pipe heat exchanger with ZnO–water nanofluid

Abstract

Nanofluid has attracted a large number of researchers in recent decades due to its exceptional heat transfer properties. In this study, a ZnO–H2O nanofluid with surfactant sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate has been investigated to quantify heat transfer and frictional loss in a double-pipe heat exchanger. The turbulent zone was studied, with Reynolds numbers ranging from 5500 to 16,000 for fully developed flow. Volume fractions employed were 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.03% and 0.06%. Brownian motion and the interfacial layer, in addition to thermal conductivity, are the primary factor to influence heat transfer in heat exchangers. The maximum enhancement in Nusselt number and thermal performance achieved for a volume fraction of 0.06% at Reynolds number 5500 is 35% and 1.15, respectively.