Experimental Investigation of Thermal and Pressure Performance in Computer Cooling Systems Using Different Types of Nanofluids

Abstract

A modern computer generates a great amount of heat while working. In order to secure appropriate working conditions by extracting the heat, a specific mechanism should be used. This research paper presents the effect of nanofluids on the microchannel heat sink performance of computer cooling systems experimentally. CeO2, Al2O3 and ZrO2 nanoparticles suspended in 20% ethylene glycol and 80% distilled water are used as working fluids in the experiment. The concentration of the nanoparticles ranges from 0.5% to 2%, mass flow rate ranges from 0.028 kg/s to 0.084 kg/s, and the ambient temperature ranges from 25 °C to 40 °C. Regarding the thermal component, parameters such as thermophysical properties of the nanofluids and base fluids, central processing unit (CPU) temperature, heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop, and pumping power have been experimentally investigated. The results show that CeO2-EG/DW, at a concentration of 2% and a mass flow rate of 0.084 kg/s, has with 8% a lower temperature than the other nanofluids and with 29% a higher heat transfer coefficient compared with the base fluid. The Al2O3-EG/DW shows the lowest pressure drop and pumping power, while the CeO2-EG/DW and ZrO2-EG/DW show the highest. However, a slight increase of pumping power and pressure drop can be accepted, considering the high improvement that the nanofluid brings in computer cooling performance compared to the base fluid.