An experimental study on the proper criterion to judge the thermal performance of the nanofluids

This work is dedicated to finding a suitable measure to judge thermal performance of nanofluids. The importance of this issue arises from misleading claim of excess heat transfer of nanofluids compared to the base fluid, neglecting the hydraulic effects such as increase in pressure drop. To clarify the issue, the experimental setup with capability to create constant Reynolds number and constant pumping power is constructed. Thermal behavior of nanofluids of silicon oxide/water and aluminum oxide/water and distilled water in developing region of laminar flow regime is investigated. In this regard, the convective heat transfer coefficient within the finned tube heat exchanger is evaluated. According to the results, the concentration of nanoparticle in the base fluid will have a significant impact on the amount of deflection of these two criteria, so that by increasing the nanoparticle's concentration the difference between these two measures becomes greater.