Influence of CuO/water nanofluid concentration and swirling flow on jet impingement cooling

CuO/water nanofluids were applied in swirling impinging jets for heat transfer enhancement. Swirling flow was induced by twisted tape inserts with twist ratios (y/w) of 1.43, 2.86 and 4.28. Impinging jets were injected at three different ratios of jet-to-plate spacing to nozzle diameter (H/d) of 2, 3 and 4. Nanofluids with CuO concentrations of 2.0%, 3.0% and 4.0% by volume were comparatively tested with water (a base fluid) for Reynolds numbers ranging from 1600 to 9400. Experimental results reveal that the nanofluids with concentrations of 2.0 and 3.0% by volume yield higher Nusselt numbers than the base fluid while the one with concentration of 4.0% shows opposite result. At the ratio of jet-to-plate spacing/nozzle diameter (H/d) of 2, Nusselt number slightly increases with decreasing twist ratio (y/w). However, at the ratios of jet-to-plate spacing/nozzle diameter (H/d) of 3 and 4, Nusselt number increases with increasing twist ratio. Over the studied range, the optimum condition is found at H/d = 2, y/w = 1.43, and nanofluid concentration of 2.0% by volume.