A numerical approach in the assessment of a new class of fluids performance in laminar flow

Abstract

Abstract The present paper focuses on the analysis of the thermal conductivity for both base fluid and their ionanofluids. Sequently, an analysis of the new heat transfer fluids behavior in laminar flow was performed to compare the experimental and theoretical results. In terms of experimental, the results showed a higher thermal conductivity for the ionanofluids with the highest nanoparticles concentration. Plus, the thermal conductivity is decreasing slightly with nanoparticles mass fraction while it is almost constant with increasing temperature. On the other hand, in the case of thermal conductivity theoretically determined, this is decreasing with increasing temperature. Furthermore, Mouromtseff number was used to evaluate the relative heat transfer capacity of different fluids. Higher Mouromtseff indicates a better heat transfer capacity of a certain fluid compared to a regular one. Concluding, the present study compared the thermal conductivity for base fluid and Al2O3 dispersed in [C2mim][CH3SO3]:H2O in the particle concentration range of 1–10 % wt and temperatures between 283.50 and 333.38 K. The results demonstrate that the thermal conductivity enhances with concentration increase. The maximum thermal conductivity enhancement of 10.2% was found for 10 % wt of ([C2mim][CH3SO3]:H2O) + Al2O3 ionanofluids. An increased Mouromseff number was noticed for theoretical thermal conductivity.