Effects of particle volume fraction on spray heat transfer performance of Al2O3–water nanofluid

An experimental investigation is conducted into the effects of the particle volume fraction on the spray heat transfer performance of a nanofluid comprising de-ionized water and Al2O3 particles with a diameter of 35 nm. The tests are performed with a flat, horizontal heated surface using a nozzle with an orifice diameter of 0.7 mm and a nozzle-to-heated surface distance of 17 mm. The spray mass flux is varied in the range of 26.433–176.751 kg/m2 s, while the particle volume fraction is specified as 0%, 0.001%, 0.025%, or 0.05%. It is found that the optimal heat transfer performance is obtained using a particle volume fraction of 0.001%. The surface compositions of the sprayed samples are observed using scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the surfaces sprayed with a nanofluid containing 0.025 Vol% or 0.05 Vol% of nanoparticles contain a small amount of Al. However, those cooled using a nanofluid with a particle volume fraction of 0% or 0.001% show no traces of Al.