A potential enhancement in heat pipe efficiency through the utilisation of hybrid ceramic nanofluids

Abstract

Hybrid nanofluids typically exhibit improved thermal conductivity and heat transfer characteristics compared to single-component nanofluids. This is due to the synergistic effects of combining different nanoparticles. Because of these properties, they were used in key applications such as heat exchangers and cooling systems. The primary goal of this research is to evaluate the heat transfer efficiency and performance of a heat pipe using different hybrid nanofluids such as Water + Al₂O₃, Water + Al₂O₃ + CuO, and Water + Al₂O₃ + ZnO under varying heat inputs of 20 W, 40 W, 60 W, 80 W, and 100 W respectively. The study revealed that the hybrid nanofluids achieved higher heat transfer rates, stability, and improved thermal conductivity when supplied at a heat input of 100 W to the heat pipe. The two-hybrid nanofluids used in the study, Water + Al₂O₃ + CuO and Water + Al₂O₃ + ZnO exhibited approximately 24% lower thermal resistance, higher heat transfer coefficient of 32%, and enhanced thermal conductivity when compared with the Water + Al₂O₃ nanofluid.