Natural convective heat transfer of Fe3O4/ethylene glycol nanofluid in electric field

Natural convective heat transfer of Fe3O4/Ethylene Glycol nanofluids was examined in the presence of electric field around a thin platinum wire. Results showed that addition of nanoparticles to ethylene glycol promoted heat transfer up to the volume fraction of 0.02%. Increasing the volume fraction further however, deteriorated heat transfer. Applying the electric field intensified natural convective heat transfer of both ethylene glycol and nanofluids. Enhancement increased with electric field intensity while decreased with Rayleigh number. Electric field delayed deterioration of heat transfer of nanofluids to greater volume fractions.

► Natural convective heat transfer measurements in nanofluid were performed. ► Heat transfer augmented up to a certain concentration. ► Further increase in the concentration deteriorated heat transfer. ► Applying electric field augmented natural convective heat transfer. ► Greater enhancements were observed in low Rayligh numbers.