Theoretical study on enhancement of thermal conductivity and viscosity with volume fraction for ethylene glycol-based iron nanofluid

Abstract

Gaining more higher heat transferability in nanofluids is one of the most serious relevant problems for improving efficiency in a variety of technology areas. In this study, the thermophysical properties of ethylene glycol-based (EG) iron nanofluid in comparison to its base fluid are investigated by using Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics (EMD) simulations combined with the hybrid pair potential in a LAMMPS (Large Scale Atomic-Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator) software that incorporates the 12–6 Lennard-Jones (L-J) potential with an Embedded Atom Method (EAM). The simulation findings showed that suspending spherical shaped iron nanoparticles in EG base fluid improves their viscosity, and conductivity (thermal) compare to the base fluid. Heat Current Autocorrelation function (HCACF) shows oscillatory behaviour initially. The amplitude of oscillation decays asymptotically around zero up to 0.75 ps. Thermal conductivity (TC) increases with volume fraction and temperature. Stress Autocorrelation function (SACF) decreases monotonically and viscosity increases with volume fraction but decreases with temperature.