Experimental and Theoretical Study on Thermal Conductivity of Kerosene-Based Nanofluids

Abstract

Thermal conductivity of kerosene-based nanofluids is experimentally studied in the paper. Aluminum (Al), alumina (Al2O3) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were dispersed respectively in RP3 aviation kerosene, and thermal conductivity of those nanofluids was measured in a wide range of fluid temperature and particle mass fraction. The increase rate of thermal conductivity of kerosene-based nanofluids reached 60% at a temperature of 403K. The thermal conductivity of nanofluids changes with different particles, particle size, particle concentration and temperature etc. The change rules are given in this paper in detail. Meanwhile, a new theoretical model for prediction of thermal conductivity of kerosene-based nanofluids is proposed. The effects of interfacial nanolayer and Brownian motion are considered in the model. And the results of comparison between theoretical model and measurement data are found to be good.