Numerical Analysis of Nano Particle-Based Coolants in Automobile Radiator

This paper presents the numerical analysis of four different nanoparticles namely Aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃), Silver nitrate (AgNO₃), (Fe₂O₃) and Carbon nanotubes (CNT) mixed with mixture of water and ethylene glycol as fluid medium in an automobile radiator using louvered fin arrangement using forced convection technique under turbulent flow regime. The flow rate of coolant varied from 2 l/min to 5 l/min, while the velocity of air and temperature are constant. The use of nano fluids enhanced the rate of heat transfer of in the radiator as compared to water and ethylene glycol binary mixture as cooling medium. From the numerical analysis, it is found that CNT-H₂O nano fluids exhibited better heat transfer characteristics as compared to Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃ and AgNO₃ nano particle in the base fluid. Furthermore, the increase in concentration of nanoparticles with the base fluid increases the convective heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number (Nu). Also, it is found that the rate of increase in convective heat transfer coefficient have a greater influence on the Nusselt number as it is a function of hc and thermal conductivity. The Nusselt number also increased with increase in flow rate of the fluid.