ENHANCEMENT OF HEAT TRANSFER

COEFFICIENT OF AN AUTOMOBILE
RADIATOR
USING Al2O3 NANOFLUID AS A COOLANT

Batch Number:MEK6171824

Under the supervision of Presented By

Mr. M Vinod Kumar 1.T Hari Krishna (15K65A0338)
Assistant Professor 2.P C S Manikanta (15K65A0330)
3.V Jagadeesh (14K61A0398)
4.R Raja Sekhar (14K61A0380)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 1

Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Literature Review
4. Objective of the Project Work
5. Experiments Performed
6. Calculations
7. Results
8. Plan of Action
9. Advantages
10. Disadvantages
11. Applications
12. Conclusion & Future scope
13. References 2
1. Abstract

Cooling system plays an important role in automobile engines. An

efficient cooling system can prevent engine from overheating and assists
the vehicle running at its optimal performance.
Nanofluids are expected to have a better thermal performance than
conventional heat transfer fluids due to the high thermal conductivity of
suspended nanoparticles at low particle concentrations. By using Al2O3
nanoparticles in water + ethylene glycol can enhance the heat transfer
coefficient of automobile radiator. It depends on the amount of the
nanoparticles added to the conventional fluids. So, we perform
experiments at a volume concentrations of 0.03 & 0.06. The experiment is
done at different flow rates i.e., 6 lpm, 9 lpm &12 lpm and compare the
results with conventional fluids.

3
2. Introduction
 Recent development of a nanotechnology brings out new heat transfer
coolant called ‘nanofluid’. These fluids exhibit larger thermal properties
than conventional coolants.
 Suspended Nanoparticles in various base fluids can alter the fluid flow and
heat transfer characteristics of the base fluids. These suspensions of nano
sized particles in the base fluids are called nanofluids.
 Nanofluids are relatively new class of fluids which consist of a basefluid
with nano sized particles (1-100nm) suspended in it.
 The much larger relative surface area of a nanoparticles, compared to those
of conventional particles, significantly improves heat transfer capabilities.
 3. Literature Review

S.No. Title of Paper Finding / Contents in Paper

1 V.Salamon, D.Senthil Kumar, S.Thirumalini , They discussed on the TiO2 – water +
“Experimental Investigation of Heat Transfer propylene glycol (70:30) nanofluid
Characteristics of Automobile Radiator using coolant as used in automobile radiator
TiO2 -Nanofluid Coolant”, Material Science And and analysis them experimentally at
Engineering 225(2017), ICMAEM-2017. different flow rates. And they give
conclusion as TiO2 nanofluid with
temperatre range of 50-80 degree celsius
at 0.3 volume % it gives 8.5 % more heat
transfer rate than base fluids.

2 S.M.Peyghambarzadesh, S.H. Hashemabadi, M. Conduct experimental test on automobile

Seifi Jamnani, S.M. Hoseini, “Improving the radiator by using Al2O3 + water (20nm)
Cooling Performance of Automobile Radiator nanofluid as a coolant at different
with Al2O3+Water Nanofluid”, Applied Thermal concentrations from 0.1 to 1% at
Engineering 31 (2011) 1833-1838,2 March 2011. different flow rates 2-5 l/min. And they
conclude as that system gives 45% more
heat transfer than water with in the
temperature range of 37-49 degree
celsius.

5
Literature Review Cont…..

S.No. Title of Paper Finding / Contents in Paper

3 Jaafar Albadr, Satinder Tayal, Mushtaq Alasadi, In this paper they discussed on heat
“Heat Transfer through Heat Exchanger using Al2O3 transfer through heat exchanger using
Nanofluid at different Concentrations”, Case Studies Al2O3 of 30 nm size nanofluid at
In Thermal Engineering 1 (2013) 38-44,30 August different volume concentrations from 0.3
2013. to 2% with counter flow under turbulent
flow conditions and also shows the
increasing rate of heat transfer co-
efficient in graph.
N.A. Usri, W.H. Azmi,Rizalman Mamat,K. Abdul Discussed on thermal conductivity
4 Hamid,G.Najafi, “Thermal Conductivity enhancement by using Al2O3 of 13 nm
Enhancement Of Al2O3 Nanofluid in Ethylene size nanofluid in ethylene glycol and
Glycol and Water mixture”,Energy Procedia 79 water mixture at different concentration
(2015)397-402. ratios from 40:60, 50:50, 60:40 at 30-70
degree celsius temperature range and by
using 0.5 to 2% concentrations of Al2O3
nanofluid and they says if particle
concentration increases the thermal
conductivity also increases.

6
Literature Review Cont…..

S.No. Title of Paper Finding / Contents in Paper

5 Laxman P. Dhale, Pravin B. Wadhave, Dnyaneshwar V. Effectiveness of radiator is increased
Kanade, Y.S.Sable ,“Effect of Nanofluid on Cooling by using nanofluids Al2O3 (20-30nm) +
System of Engine” International Journal of water at 1.2 vol % with a constant mass
Engineering and Applied Sciences (IJEAS) ISSN: flow rate of 0.167 Kg/s. It was
2394-3661, Volume-2, Issue-10, October 2015. observed that performance of about
24% has been increased by
experimentally when compared with
water.

6 MinSheng Liu, Mark ChingCheng Lin and ChiChuan They discussed on enhancement of
Wang “Enhancements of thermal conductivities with thermal conductivities of Cu, CuO (30-
Cu, CuO and carbon nanotube nanofluids and 50) and carbon nano tubes and also
application of MWCNT/water nanofluid on a water they investigated MWCNT + water
chiller system”, Nanoscale Research Letters 2011, (20-30nm) nanofluid in air conditioner
6:297. of 10 T.R capacity at 60-140 lpm at 0.1
vol% and found there increases the
cooling capacity up to 4.2 % and the
COP is increased up to 5.15% .

7
Literature Review Cont…..

S.No. Title of Paper Finding / Contents in Paper

7 Sandesh S. Chougule, S. K. Sahu “ Comparative Study By using Al2O3 + water and CNT
of Cooling Performance of Automobile Radiator using (carbon Nano tubes) + water are used
Al2O3 -Water and Carbon Nanotube-Water Nanofluid” in automobile radiator as a coolant
Journal of Nanotechnology in Engineering and under forced convection at a
Medicine, FEBRUARY 2014, Vol. 5 / 010901-1. concentrations ranging from 0.15-1
vol.% at a flow rate of 2-5 lpm with in
the temperature range of 60-90 degree
Celsius. The CNT-water gives heat
transfer of 90.76% at 5 lpm and Al2O3
+ water gives 52.03% at 5lpm.

8
4. Objective of the Project Work

To improve the performance of an Automobile Radiator using Al2O3 Nanofluid

as a coolant.

9
5. Experiments Performed

a) Ultra sonication
b) Experimental analysis on radiator test rig.

a) Ultra sonication
Sonication is the act of applying sound energy
to agitate particles in a base fluid.

Fig. Ultra sonicator

10
b) Block diagram of Experimental setup

Fig. Block diagram of experimental setup

Courtesy by: S.M. Peyghambarzadesh et al. / Applied Thermal Engineering 31 (2011) 1833-1838
11
Fabrication images

Fig. Fabrication images of Experimental Setup

12
Fabrication images Cont…..

13
Experimental Procedure

• Fill the reservoir with the coolant upto indicated level.

• Switch on the power supply, and then switch on the heating element.
• Allow the coolant to get heated up to 70 degree celcius.
• Switch on the fan and the pump.
• Note down the electricity consumed by fan and pump by energy meter.
• Note down the discharge of the coolant from flow meter.
• Note down the inlet and outlet temperature by varying pump discharge.
• Plot the graph between flow rates vs heat transfer coefficient.

14
6. Calculations

 The weight of nano particle required for preparation of 1000 ml of Al2O3

nanofluid is

(Φ)  Al2O3
w Al2O3 wbf
= (100- Φ)  bf

Where,
w Al2O3 - weight of nano particles (grams)
 Al2O3 - density of nano particles (kg/m3)
wbf - weight of base fluid (ml) (Ethalyne glycol + Water)
 bf - density of base fluid (kg/m3)
Φ - volume concentration for nanofluid

15
6.1 Sample calculations

(0.03) (3950)
w Al2O3 X 1000
= (100-0.03) (1064)

=1.11 grams (for 0.03 volume concentration)

w Al2O3
S.No. Volume concentration (Φ) %
(grams) [per 1000ml]

1 0.03 1.11

2 0.06 2.22

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Calculations Cont…..

Heat transfer coefficient, Q = hAΔT = hA(Tᵇ -Tw)

Heat transfer rate, Q = mCpΔT = mCp(Tin-Tout)

Where,
m = flow rate of Mass
Cp = Specific heat capacity
A = Peripheral area of radiator tubes
Tin = inlet temperature
Tout = outlet temperature
Tb = Average value of inlet and outlet temperatures
Tw = Tube wall temperature which is the mean value of
surface thermocouples
6.2 Calculation of Heat transfer coefficient
at 6 lpm
m*Cp*( Tin -Tout) = h*At*(Tb-Tw)
6/60*4180*(12) = h*0.472*(13.25)
h = 802.04 W/m2K (using distilled water)

6/60*3370*(15) = h*0.472*(12)
h = 892.47 W/m2K (using distilled water + ethylene glycol (70:30))

6/60*3822.4*(20) = h*0.472*(13.75)
h = 1177.93 W/m2K (for 0.03% volume concentration of Nanofluid)

6/60*3518.89*(25) = h*0.472*(12.5)
h =1491.05 W/m2K (for 0.06% volume concentration of Nanofluid)

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  p c p  1   bf
Specific heat of Nanofluid, c

Where,

p = nanoparticles density
bf = base fluid density

 = % nanoparticles volume concentration

Viscosity of Nanofluid , µnf =µw (1+2.5ϕ)

Where,
µw = Viscosity of base fluid (kg/m-s)

µnf = Viscosity of Nano fluid (kg/m-s)

20
 p bf 
p bf 
 k  2k  2 k  k 1   3 
Nanofluid Thermal conductivity, k    kbf
  
 k p  2kbf  k p  kbf 1     
3

Where,
 = Thickness of nano layer

kp = Thermal conductivity of nanoparticles

kbf = Thermal conductivity of base fluid

Density of Nanofluid, ρnf = ϕ×ρs + [(1-ϕ) × ρw]

Where,
ϕ = Volume fraction

ρs = Density of solid material (kg/m3)

ρw = Density of fluid material (water) (kg/m3)

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Specifications of Nanoparticles

Chemical name of nanoparticles: - Aluminum oxide

Purity of nanoparticles: - 99.5%
Appearance of nanoparticles: - white
SSA of nanoparticles: - 120-140 meter2/ gram.
Average particle size of nanoparticles: - 30-50 nm
Density of nanoparticles: -3.97 gram/centimeter3.
Morphology of nanoparticles: - spherical
Melting point: 20550C.

23
Specifications of Nanoparticles Cont…..

Fig. Photographic view of Al 2 O 3 Nano particles

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6.3 Properties of Nanofluid

Volume Thermal Specific Density Viscosity

Fluid fraction conductivity heat (kg/m3) (kg/m-s)
(W/m-K) (J/kg-K)

0.03 0.69865 3822.4 1089.1 1.07811×10-3

Al2O3

0.06 0.82435 3518.89 1178.22 1.1533×10-3

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 7. Results

Heat transfer coefficient

S.No. Type of fluid (W/m2K) Heat transfer rate (W)

6 lpm 9 lpm 12 lpm 6 lpm 9 lpm 12 lpm

1. Water 802.04 1255.9 1480.39 5016 8151 11704

2. Water +
Ethylene 892.47 1374.08 1803.74 5055 8593.5 12132
glycol

3. Nanofluid at 1177.93 2016.78 2569.11 7644.8 12613.92 17583.04

0.03 vol.%

4. Nanofluid at 1491.05 2422.96 2927.88 8797.2 13723.67 19002.01

0.06 vol.%

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Results Cont…..
7.1 Comparision of heat transfer coefficient with conventional
coolants
3500
Heat transfer coefficient (W/m2K)

3000
Heat transfer coefficient (for
2500 distilled water)

2000 Heat transfer coefficient (for

distilled water + Ethylene
1500 glycol))
Heat transfer coefficient (for
Nanofluid at 0.03 vol.%)
1000
Heat transfer coefficient (for
500 Nanofluid at 0.06 vol.%)

0
6 9 12
Flow rate (lpm)

27
Results Cont…..
7.2 Comparision of heat transfer rate with conventional
coolants
20000
18000
16000
Heat transfer rate (W)

14000
Heat transfer rate (for distilled
12000 water)
10000 Heat transfer rate (for distilled
water + Ethylene glycol)
8000 Heat transfer rate (for
6000 Nanofluid at 0.03 vol.%)
Heat transfer rate (for
4000 Nanofluid at 0.06 vol.%)
2000
0
6 9 12
Flow rate (lpm)

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8. Plan of Action
S.No Date Activity

1 04/12/2017 Submission of Title & abstract of the Project

2 08/12/2017 Submission of Registration letter

3 15/12/2017 Submission of plan of action

4 18/12/2017 Collection of literature survey

7 02/01/2018 Selection of Nanofluid

9 08/01/2018 Project Review -1

10 13/01/2018 Collect the test rig components

11 02/02/2018 Complete the fabrication

12 5/02/2018 Project Review -2

13 19/02/2018 Sonicating of Nanofluid

14 20/02/2018 Perform the experiment on test rig

15 24/02/2018 Calculation of output parameters

16 10/03/2018 Documentation
17 12/03/2018 Review-3 & Submission of final document along with model
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9. Advantages

• High specific surface area and therefore more heat transfer surface between
particles and fluids.
• High dispersion stability with predominant Brownian motion of particles.
• Reduced pumping power as compared to pure liquid to achieve equivalent
heat transfer intensification.
• Reduced particle clogging as compared to conventional slurries, thus
promoting system miniaturization.
• Adjustable properties, including thermal conductivity and surface wet
ability, by varying particle concentrations to suit different applications.

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10. Limitations

• Poor long term stability of suspension.

• Lower specific heat.
• High cost of nanofluids.

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11. Applications

32
12. Conclusion & Future scope
12.1 Conclusion
The presence of Al2O3 nanoparticles in water + ethylene glycol can
enhance the heat transfer rate of automobile radiator. The degree of heat
transfer coefficient enhancement depends on the amount of the nanoparticles
added to Water + Ethylene glycol and flow rate of the nanofluid. Ultimately, at
the concentration of 0.03 vol% the heat transfer enhancement around 46% to
73% when compared to pure water and 31.98% to 42% when compared to the
pure water + ethylene glycol. Further increasing the volume concentration to
0.06 vol.% the improvement in heat transfer coefficient was observed in the
range of 85% to 97%, and enhancement of 62% to 76% when compared with
Water + Ethylene glycol. The cost of the working fluid is increases but there is
increment in heat transfer rate also.
By observing the experimental results the heat transfer coefficient of
aluminum oxide nanofluid is increasing along with the increase in
concentration of nanoparticles.

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12.2 Future scope

In future, nanofluids will create a great impact on automotive

industry, because of the enhanced thermo physical properties over the base
fluids like water, oil etc. The nanofluids used in automobiles for various
applications such as coolant, lubricant, shock absorber and refrigerant.
Nanofluids possess immense potential applications to improve heat
transfer and energy efficient in several areas including automobile,
microelectronics, nuclear, space and power generation.

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 13. References

 V. Salamon, D. Senthil Kumar, S. Thirumalini , “Experimental Investigation of

Heat transfer Characteristics of Automobile Radiator using TiO2 - Nanofluid
coolant”, Material Science And Engineering 225(2017), ICMAEM-2017.

 S.M. Peyghambarzadesh, S.H. Hashemabadi, M. Seifi Jamnani, S.M. Hoseini,

“Improving the Cooling Performance of Automobile Radiator with
Al2O3/Water Nanofluid”, Applied Thermal Engineering 31 (2011) 1833-1838,2
March 2011.

 Jaafar Albadr, Satinder Tayal, Mushtaq Alasadi, “Heat Transfer through Heat
Exchanger using Al2O3 Nanofluid at different Concentrations”, Case Studies In
Thermal Engineering 1 (2013) 38-44,30 August 2013.

 N.A. Usri, W.H. Azmi, Rizalman Mamat, K. Abdul Hamid, G.Najafi, “Thermal
Conductivity Enhancement of Al2O3 Nanofluid in Ethylene glycol and Water
mixture”,Energy Procedia 79 (2015)397-402.

35
 References Cont…..

 Laxman P. Dhale, Pravin B. Wadhave, Dnyaneshwar V. Kanade, Y.S.Sable

,“Effect of Nanofluid on Cooling System of Engine” International Journal of
Engineering and Applied Sciences (IJEAS) ISSN: 2394-3661, Volume-2, Issue-
10, October 2015.

 MinSheng Liu, Mark ChingCheng Lin and ChiChuan Wang “Enhancements of

Thermal Conductivities with Cu, CuO, and Carbon nanotube Nanofluids and
application of MWNT/water nanofluid on a water chiller system”, Nanoscale
Research Letters 2011, 6:297, and

 Sandesh S. Chougule, S. K. Sahu “ Comparative Study of Cooling Performance

of Automobile Radiator using Al2O3-Water and Carbon Nanotube-Water
Nanofluid” Journal of Nanotechnology in Engineering and Medicine,
FEBRUARY 2014, Vol. 5 / 010901-1.

36
Thank You

37