An experimental study on the heat transfer performance of a radiator using MWCNT-SiO 2 hybrid nanofluid

ABSTRACTThe study aims to investigate the effect of nanofluids on heat transfer through experimentation. To prepare the nanofluids, water, commonly used in radiator cooling systems, served as the base liquid. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles were added at weight concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%, with two different flow rates tested. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant was used to prevent the nanoparticles from agglomerating. After visually observing the hybrid nanocoolant, it was found that SDS as a surfactant prevented sedimentation and maintained stability for two weeks. Furthermore, STEM imaging demonstrated that spherical SiO2 particles evenly distributed throughout the tube-shaped CNTs improved the fluid’s thermophysical properties regarding heat transfer. Heat transfer improvements were assessed with water experiments. The findings indicate that greater nanoparticle weight concentration promotes heat transfer. The most significant improvement in thermal conductance (UxA) was recorded as 28% in the case of 0.4 wt.% MWCNT water-based nanofluid at 0.034 kg/s flow rate as against water. The economical performance of a nanoparticle-containing cooling system was gauged for a natural gas-powered engine.KEYWORDS: Hybrid nanofluidSiO2 nanoparticlesMWCNTheat transfertechno-economic evaluation Nomenclature A=Cross-sectional areacp=Specific heatF=Correction factorIRR=Internal Rate of ReturnLMTD=Logarithmic mean temperature differenceMWCNT=Multiwalled carbon nanotubeMSE=Mean square errorNF=NanofluidNPV=Net Present ValuePB=Payback PeriodPWM=Pulse Width ModulationQ=Heat transfer rateSDS=Sodium dodecyl sulphatem˙=Mass flow ratewt.=WeightR=Ratio of temperature range of airS=Heat capacity ratioSEM=Scanning electron microscopeSTEM=Scanning transmission electron microscopeT=TemperatureU=Heat transfer coefficientSubscripts=a=airc=coolanti=inleto=outletAcknowledgementsSEM analyses were performed using instruments and facilities at IMU. The technical equipment support of the Teksan Generator and Erin Motor is also gratefully acknowledged.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationNotes on contributorsTugba TetikTugba Tetik holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Istanbul Technical University, Turkiye. Currently, she works as a research assistant in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Istanbul Medeniyet University.Mustafa ArmaganMustafa Armagan holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Kocaeli University, Turkiye. He is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Istanbul Medeniyet University.Emir Kasım DemirEmir Kasım Demir is a Ph.D. candidate in Istanbul Medeniyet University, Turkiye. He is currently working as a specialist in Istanbul Medeniyet University, Turkiye.Altay ArbakAltay Arbak holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Istanbul Technical University, Turkiye. Currently, she works as a research assistant in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Istanbul Medeniyet University.A. Emre TeksanA. Emre Teksan holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Ege University, Turkiye. He is a board member in an energy company, responsible for R&D. Saban Pusat is an Associated Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Yıldız Technical University. His research interests are renewable energy, thermodynamics etc.Yasin KaragozYasin Karagoz is currently working as an Associated Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Istanbul Medeniyet University. His interests are automotive, energy, combustion and cooling systems etc.