Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
668667 International Journal of Thermal Sciences 2012 10 Pages PDF
Abstract

This paper presents a numerical investigation of heat transfer and hydrodynamic behavior of various types of water-based nanofluids inside a typical radial flow cooling device. Turbulent radial nanofluid flow between two parallel disks with axial injection is considered. Several turbulence models were evaluated. The RANS-based κ − ω SST turbulence model was chosen for subsequent simulations. A single phase fluid approach was used throughout with temperature dependant nanofluid effective properties. Results show that although heat transfer enhancement is found for all types of nanofluids considered, energy-based performance comparisons indicate that they do not necessarily represent the most efficient coolants for this type of application and flow conditions.

► Turbulent nanofluid radial flow investigation. ► k-omega turbulence model good choice for this application. ► Heat transfer increases with particle volume fraction and Reynolds number. ► Performance evaluation criterion and pumping power analysis. ► Overall nanofluid performance not beneficial in the considered conditions.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
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