Numerical study of convective heat transfer with nanofluids in turbulent flow using a Lagrangian-Eulerian approach

Abstract

In the present study, numerical simulations of forced convection heat transfer with Water-Al2O3, Water-TiO2 and Water-Cu nanofluids in fully developed turbulent flow in a tube of circular cross-section under constant surface heat flux condition are performed, using a Lagrangian-Eulerian approach. The nanoparticles movement is tracked using the Lagrangian approach while the governing equations for the base fluid are solved using the Eulerian approach. The simulation results are compared with the predictions from the experimental correlations generated for corresponding conditions. Numerical results are also compared with the single phase model that treats the nanofluid as an equivalent single phase fluid with enhanced thermophysical properties. The comparison seems to indicate that the Lagrangian-Eulerian approach is a more accurate model for simulating forced convection heat transfer with dilute nanofluids with the particle volume concentration less than 0.5%, while for higher particle volume concentrations the single phase model appears to be more accurate.