Comparative study of Nano-fluids as Coolants in a Car Radiator

Abstract

Abstract The automobile industry has been researching and developing ways to maximize the efficiency of the engine while ensuring the cars remain compact. One of the ways to achieve this result is by decreasing the frontal area of the car, which not only makes the car compact but will also provide the enhanced aerodynamic effect. The efficiency of a car radiator greatly depends upon the rate of heat transfer of the radiator that in turn depends on the properties of the coolant used, a coolant with higher thermal conductivity has the ability to transfer heat at a faster rate and cool down the engine quickly which results in better engine efficiency and a decrease in need of coolant volume required, pumping power and eventually the size of the radiator. That will result in a smaller frontal area which leads to engine efficiency, compact cars, and better fuel economy, and lesser emissions. Through our research, we have demonstrated that with the use of nanofluids, by virtue of their enhanced thermal conductivity property, they offer a better heat dissipation than conventional coolants thereby having a potential practical application.