Performance of overall heat transfer in multi-channel heat exchanger by alumina nanofluid

Abstract

This study employs a direct synthesis method to prepare alumina/water (Al 2O 3/water) nanofluid working fluid for a multi-channel heat exchanger (MCHE) experiment, and then simulates its application to electronic chip cooling system to evaluate the practicability of its actual performance. The experimental variables included nanofluids of different weight concentrations (0, 0.5, and 1.0 wt.%) and the inlet water temperature at different flow values. Results show that the overall heat transfer coefficient ratio was higher at higher nanoparticle concentrations. In other words, the overall heat transfer coefficient ratio was higher when the probability of collision between nanoparticles and the wall of the heat exchanger was increased under higher concentration, confirming that nanofluids have considerable potential for use in electronic chip cooling systems.