Numerical and Mathematical Study for Thermal Performance Evaluation of Alumina (Al2O3) Nanoparticle Based Nanofluids

Abstract

In present study, the thermal performance of Al2O3 nanoparticle based nanofluid in a rectangular cavity
heated from the base is numerically investigated and a mathematical model has been proposed for the
relative convective heat transfer performance. Numerical simulations using CFD approach have been
undertaken incorporating a homogeneous, single phase fluid for three cases viz. Al2O3-water, Al2O3-
Ethylene Glycol (EG) and Al2O3-transformer oil nanofluid. Thermophysical properties of the nanofluids
and base medium have been obtained with experimentationand available mathematical models
respectively. Pertinent parameters have been chosen for conducting the simulation in the following range:
Al2O3 nanoparticle fraction,?= 0.5 to 3% and Rayleigh number in turbulent region (>107
).Numerical
simulation, present mathematical model and models available in open literature are compared to studythe
convective heat transfer performance of Al2O3-water, Al2O3-EG and Al2O3-transformer oil nanofluid.
Al2O3-water nanofluid shows higher value in heat characteristics, whereas Al2O3-transformer oil shows
higher enhancement in it.