Investigation for the use of nanofluids as a coolant in a vehicle radiator

Abstract

A vehicle’s cooling cycle plays a major role in preventing overheating of the engine or excessive operating temperatures. The engine will run as effectively as possible under all circumstances if the operating temperature is set to the optimal value. Also, maintaining the characteristics of the lubricant that separates the surfaces that contact one another. Enhancing the radiator’s thermal performance is one of the options being researched by scientists right now in order to boost the cooling cycle’s effectiveness. To enhance heat transmission, nanofluids are now often used and are the topic of research. In an experimental study, the performance of using multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with varied concentrations of nanofluid as operating fluids in an automotive radiator with louvered fins and flat tubes (Honda Civic 2005) was examined. Nanofluids were created using five volumetric concentrations of nanomaterials (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, 1%, and 1.6%). The flow inside the tube had a Reynolds number that fluctuated from 11,000 to 58,000. It is possible to calculate the Nusselt number, pressure drop, friction factor, heat transfer coefficient, and heat transfer rate by measuring the variables. Experimental results show that when MWCNTs concentration and flowrate increase, the heat transfer rate and heat transfer coefficient also increase. The volume concentration of the nanoparticles is what has caused the Nusselt number value to rise by 13.72% in comparison to pure water. For estimating the Nusselt number, a correlation between the Reynolds number and MWCNTs volume concentration is provided.