Review on mechanism and parameters affecting thermal conductivity of nanofluid

Abstract

Nanofluid is an attractive heat transfer fluid compared to other conventional fluids due to its excellent thermal conductivity. Many researchers focused their research on it because of the considerable rise in thermal conductivity at low concentration of nanoparticles without or with a minor compromise with pressure drop. The current article focuses on thermal conductivity enhancement mechanism, numerical models to predict thermal conductivity of nanofluid, review on an experimental study of measurement of thermal conductivity of nanofluid, review on experimental investigation performed to measure thermal conductivity of nanofluid, detailed review on variation in thermal conductivity of nanofluid with various influential parameters such as type of base fluid, type of nanoparticle, particle concentration, fluid temperature, stability of fluid, etc. and it’s level of influence on thermal conductivity. This article will be helpful to the researchers for systematic screening from a wide range of work in the current field.