Investigation of Heat Transfer Performance Of A Car Radiator Using Nanofluid As Coolant

Abstract

Abstract-In this paper, results of experiment carried out on an automotive radiator with water and water based Al 2 O 3 nanofluids are compared. The experimentation is done by considering variable parameters so as to study the effect of flow rate, inlet temp of coolant and volume fraction of nanofluids on thermal performance of automotive radiator. 13nm sized Al 2 O 3 particle are dispersed in water with 0.5-2.5vol% with twostep method. These fluids are made to flow through a radiator with flow rate of 6-8lpm to have fully turbulent regime. Also the effect of fluid inlet temperature to radiator on heat transfer performance been analyzed by keeping the temperature at 60°C. Results showed improved heat transfer performance with increasing fluid circulation rate. The presence of 13nm sized alumina nanoparticles in water enhances the heat transfer rate of the automobile radiator. At the concentration of 2 vol% the heat transfer enhancement of 38% compared to pure water was recorded.