Selection of nanofluid for heat transfer applications from existing models of thermal conductivity

Abstract

Nanofluids are gaining much importance over the past decade due to their enhanced thermal conductivity, specific heat, cooling capacity, electrical conductivities. Novel properties of nanofluids are yet to be explored to the highest potential applications. One of the prominent applications of nanofluids is in thermal conduction. The presence of nanoparticle in a fluid can enhance the thermal conductivities by several orders of magnitude (100-250).Experimental techniques involved in measuring thermal conductivity are transient hot wire method, steady state technique, and temperature oscillation technique, but suffer from drawbacks arising during measurement. Theoretical models are also proposed by Maxwell, Hamilton Crosser, Yu and Choi, Koo and Kleinstreuer, and Kumar. The present paper deals with identification of the best combination of nanoparticle and fluid by making use of existing models.