Influences of refrigerant-based nanofluid composition and heating condition on the migration of nanoparticles during pool boiling. Part I: Experimental measurement

Influences of refrigerant-based nanofluid composition and heating condition on the migration of nanoparticles during pool boiling were investigated experimentally. The nanoparticles include Cu (average diameters of 20, 50 and 80 nm), Al and Al2O3 (average diameters of 20 nm), and CuO (average diameter of 40 nm). The refrigerants include R113, R141b and n-pentane. The mass fraction of lubricating oil RB68EP is from 0 to 10 wt%, the heat flux is from 10 to 100 kW m−2, and the initial liquid-level height is from 1.3 to 3.4 cm. The experimental results show that the migration ratio of nanoparticles during the pool boiling of refrigerant-based nanofluid increases with the decrease of nanoparticle density, nanoparticle size, dynamic viscosity of refrigerant, mass fraction of lubricating oil or heat flux; while increases with the increase of liquid-phase density of refrigerant or initial liquid-level height.

► The migration characteristics of nanoparticles during pool boiling were tested.
► The migration of nanoparticles is affected by the nanofluid composition.
► The migration of nanoparticles is affected by the heating condition.