Performance evaluation of nanofluids in loop heat pipes and oscillating heat pipes

Abstract

Nanofluids have been presented as media to enhance the heat transfer capabilities of thermal control systems and devices of both single and two-phase heat transfer modes. Since the addition of solid nanoparticles in a base fluid can significantly increase the thermal and transport properties of a given working fluid, it impacts other properties that require a proper evaluation before applying the nanofluid in a thermal system. Successful application of nanofluids in liquid cooling systems including single-phase convection in heat exchangers and two-phase systems like heat pipes and thermosyphon have indicated the potential in using such a novel working fluid to improve their thermal efficiency. An evaluation related to the performance enhancement using nanofluids in two-phase cooling systems is presented, which aims to show how nanofluids’ can play an important role in current and future thermal control devices' design and operation.