Heat transfer enhancement in turbulent tube flow using Al2O3 nanoparticle suspension
International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow
ISSN: 0961-5539
Article publication date: 1 April 2006
Abstract
Purpose
To study the hydrodynamic and thermal behaviors of a turbulent flow of nanofluids, which are composed of saturated water and Al2O3 nanoparticles at various concentrations, flowing inside a tube submitted to a uniform wall heat flux boundary condition.
Design/methodology/approach
A numerical method based on the “control‐volume” approach was used to solve the system of non‐linear and coupled governing equations. The classical κ‐ε model was employed in order to model the turbulence, together with staggered non‐uniform grid system. The computer model, satisfactorily validated, was used to perform an extended parametric study covering wide ranges of the governing parameters. Information regarding the hydrodynamic and thermal behaviors of nanofluid flow are presented.
Findings
Numerical results show that the inclusion of nanoparticles into the base fluid has produced an augmentation of the heat transfer coefficient, which has been found to increase appreciably with an increase of particles volume concentration. Such beneficial effect appears to be more pronounced for flows with moderate to high Reynolds number. In reverse, the presence of nanoparticles has induced a rather drastic effect on the wall shear stress that has also been found to increase with the particle loading. A new correlation, Nufd=0.085 Re0.71 Pr0.35, is proposed to calculate the fully‐developed heat transfer coefficient for the nanofluid considered.
Practical implications
This study has provided an interesting insight into the nanofluid thermal behaviors in the context of a confined tube flow. The results found can be easily exploited for various practical heat transfer and thermal applications.
Originality/value
The present study is believed to be an interesting and original contribution to the knowledge of the nanofluid thermal behaviors.
Keywords
Citation
El Bécaye Maïga, S., Tam Nguyen, C., Galanis, N., Roy, G., Maré, T. and Coqueux, M. (2006), "Heat transfer enhancement in turbulent tube flow using Al2O3 nanoparticle suspension", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 275-292. https://doi.org/10.1108/09615530610649717
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited