International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)

ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 6.887

Volume 6 Issue V, May 2018- Available at www.ijraset.com

Heat Transfer Enhancement Using Nanoparticles

(Al2o3)
N. Mukilarasan1, D.Vinoth2, B.Yogesh3, V. Vinith raj4, B. Sivesh kumar5
1
Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering
2, 3, 4, 5
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Jeppiaar SRR Engineering College

Abstract: Performance is one of the great significance needs of many industries. However, low thermal conductivity is a primary
limitation in developing energy-efficient heat transfer fluids that are required in many industrial applications. In order to avoid
this limitation, “Nanofluid” (Heat transfer fluid + nano particle) which is engineered by suspending metallic nano particles in
conventional heat transfer fluid. The resulting Nanofluid will exhibit high thermal conductivities when compared to those
usually used heat transfer fluids. In this study it reveals that the currently used heat transfer fluid takes more time than the
AL2O3 suspended Nanofluids. The time taken to reach 50oC for currently heat transfer fluid (Shell Thermia B) is 100 seconds,
whereas for Nanofluid the same temperature is attained in less than 65 seconds. This shows that the Nanofluids have substantial
higher thermal conductivity when compared to currently using heat transfer fluid.
Keywords: Heat transfer fluid, nanofluids ,shell thermia fluid, aluminium oxide

I. INTRODUCTION
Touloukian and Ho (1970) have proved experimentally that at room temperature, the thermal conductivity of Cu is 700 times more
than that of water[1] and 3000 fold more than that of engine oil. Hamilton and Crosser (1962) and Wasp (1977) have developed a
thermal conductivity models for two-phase mixture based on their theoretical study[2][6].Sohn and Chen (1984) investigated
thermal conductivity property of solid-fluid mixture at low velocity. At higher 7 flow rate (higher peclet number), the Thermal
conductivity was observed to be increasing with increase in the shear rate.Masuda et al. (1993) studied the possibility of altering the
properties of conventional heat transfer fluids by suspending submicron particles of water based Al203and Ti02 and reported that
the enhancement in the Effective thermal conductivities are about 32% and 11%,respectively for the nanofluids of 4.3% volume
concentration.Choi (1995) is the first researcher who worked on nano particles at the Argonne National Laboratory, USA. He
demonstrated that nanofluids exhibit an increased thermal conductivity compared to the host fluid[2]. Eastman et al.
(1997) observed that oxide nanoparticles, such as Al2O3and CuO have excellent dispersion properties in water, oil and ethylene
glycol and form stable suspensions. Wang et al. (1999) employed a steady state parallel plate method to measure the effective
thermal conductivity of nanofluids.
They tested two types of nanoparticles, Al2O3and CuO, dispersed in water, engine oil, and ethylene glycol. Experimental results
indicated higher thermal conductivities in fluid mixture than those of the base fluids and the measured thermal conductivity values
are higher for nanofluids and the mixture formula under predicted experimental thermal conductivity of the above
nanofluids[7][8].Choi et al.
(2001) noticed that engine oil of carbon nanotubes and with 1.0% volume concentration exhibited 160% increment in thermal
conductivity[2].Das et al. (2003) employed temperature oscillation technique to measure thermal conductivity of water based
Al2O3and CuO nanofluids at different temperatures [5]and observed a 200% to 400% increase in the thermal conductivity of
nanofluids[3]
In the temperature range of 210oC to 510oC.Xue and Xu (005) developed an effective thermal conductivity model for CuO/water
and CuO/Ethylene glycol nanofluids [6] taking into account the thermal conductivity of the solid and liquid, their relative volume
fraction, particle size and interfacial properties. From the above literature review ,the properties of nano sized aluminium oxide is
well suited for increasing heat transfer rate as well as the limitations of low thermal conductivity is avoided.

II. DESIGN PARAMETER

The required design parameters for the experimental test rig is as shown below.

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 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 6.887
Volume 6 Issue V, May 2018- Available at www.ijraset.com

PARAMETERS QUALITY/DIMENSIONS
TEST RIG DIAMETER=345mm , LENGTH= 110mm .

HEATER 230 AC SUPPLY SINGLE PHASE,POWER=2Kw, 7

INCH NICHROME COIL
ALUMINIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES SIZE= 30-50 nm, SHAPE= SPHERICAL, PURITY
=99.9%
RUNNER WITH VENT HOLES ON TOP LENGTH= 250mm ,DIAMETER=35mm ,VENT
HOLE DIAMETER= 12mm .
DIGITAL THERMOMETER (PROBE) PROBE LENGTH =10mm

VOLTMETER 0-300V

AMMETER 0-10 Amps

SHELL THERMIA B FLUID 3 LITRES

III. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

A. Case: 1 (without nanoparticles)
The tank is cleaned thoroughly and ensured that there is no any dust or other materials. Now, the thermicfluid is filled inside the
tank and the tank is closed. The heater is switched on and the stop watch is started simultaneously. The time taken to reach 100oC is
noted with a regular interval of 5oC. As soon as the temperature of oil inside the tank reaches 100oC switch of the power supply The
temperature is also noted at regular intervals from the digital thermometer. The readings are tabulated.

B. Case: 2 (with nano particles)

Now, the oil present inside the tank is drained after it has been cooled to room temperature. Then the tank is filled with thermicfluid
which has nanoparticles dispersed in it. The heater is switched on and the stop watch is started simultaneously. The time taken to
reach 100 oC is noted. As soon as the temperature of oil inside the tank reaches 100 oC the power should be cut off. The temperature
is also noted at regular intervals from the digital thermometer. Thus, the time-temperature curve is drawn for the both cases and the
graphs are compared. It is evident that the thermicfluid with nanoparticles dispersed took less time than that of the fluid without
nanoparticles to reach the pre-set temperature of 100 oC. It is proved by the graph and time recorded. This shows that nanoparticles
dispersion in the heat exchanging fluid enhances the heat transfer rate. This nanofluid synthesized can be used for various heat
exchanging applications such as boilers, heaters, heat exchangers, boilers etc.

IV. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

A. List Of Components
1) Shell Thermia B
Shell Heat Transfer Oil S2 is based on carefully selected, highly refined mineral oils chosen for their ability to provide superior
performance in indirect closed fluid heat transfer systems. Enclosed circulated heat transfer systems for industrial applications such
as process industry, chemical plants, textile producers etc. and in household equipment such as oil filled radiators. Shell Heat
Transfer Oil S2 can be used in high temperature continuous heat transfer equipment with the following application limits:
a) S2 Max. film temperature 340°C
b) Max. bulk temperature 320°C
Extended maintenance intervals Shell Heat Transfer Oil S2 is based on carefully selected highly refined mineral oils and resists oil
cracking, oxidation and thickening. This provides extended oil life, provided efficient fluid heating and good pump circulation is
ensured, such that film temperatures on the heater surface do not exceed the limits above.

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 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 6.887
Volume 6 Issue V, May 2018- Available at www.ijraset.com

System efficiency Low viscosity enables excellent fluidity and heat transfer over a wide temperature range. Shell Heat Transfer Oil
S2 also has a low vapour pressure so resists cracking. This minimizes the formation of volatile decomposition products; these would
require recovery via expansion chamber and condensate collector .
2) Nanoparticle
a) Specifications
i) Material : aluminium oxide
ii) Size : 30-50 nm
iii) Shape : spherical
iv) Purity : 99.9%
Compounds of aluminium and oxygen are referred to as aluminium oxides (Al2O3), whereas compounds with hydroxyl groups are
known as hydroxides. Alpha- Al2O3(corundum) is the most well-known and significant form of the existing Al2O3 modifications .
Besides, there are further aluminium oxides of different structures called transition alumina. Corundum has a density of 3.98 g/cm³,
a high hardness, a melting point of 2053 °C, and a high specific electrical resistance of approximately 1012 ohm m (at 20 °C). It is
chemically very stable and is almost insoluble in water, acids, and bases. The transition aluminium oxide gamma- Al2O3, in
contrast, dissolves in strong acids and in bases. Due to its high surface activity, gamma-aluminium oxide is used as an adsorbent and
catalyst material. In addition to oxides of aluminium, there are different hydroxides, e.g. aluminium hydroxides [Al (OH)3] such as
bayerite and gibbsite and the so-called aluminium oxy-hydroxides [Al(OH)] boehmite and diaspore. Gibbsite, boehmite, and
diaspore are constituents of the technically important aluminium mineral bauxite. Aluminium (Al) Nanoparticles, nanodots or
nanopowder are black spherical high surface area metal particles. Nanoscale Aluminium Particles are typically 10-30 nanometers
(nm) with specific surface area (SSA) in the 30 - 70 m2/g range and also available in with an average particle size of 70 -100 nm
range with a specific surface area of approximately 5 - 10 m2/g. Nano Aluminium Particles are also available in passivated and in
ultra high purity and high purity, carbon-coated, and dispersed forms.
b) occurrence and production
Aluminium oxide is produced industrially from the mineral bauxite. The bauxite deposits are estimated at approximately 20 billion
tons worldwide, the worldwide annual output amounts to about 100 million tons. Australia has the largest output and deposits. The
sapphire, well-known as a precious stone, is a quite rare but at the same time the most beautiful modification of aluminium oxide.
Aluminium and aluminium oxide are manufactured by means of the Bayer method: Bauxite is crushed, dried, and dissolved using
concentrated sodium hydroxide solution. The impurities iron, silicon, and titanium are separated from the bauxite in the so-called
red mud. Aluminium hydroxide is precipitated from the solution and calcinated at 1200-1300°C to form Al2O3. They are also
available as dispersion through the AE Nanofluid production group. Nanofluids are generally defined as suspended nanoparticles in
solution either using surfactant or surface charge technology. Nanofluid dispersion and coating selection technical guidance is also
available.
3) Heater
a) Specifications
i) 230V AC supply single phase
ii) 2kW
iii) 7 inch nichrome coil with thermostat
Electric heating is a process in which electrical energy is converted to heat. Common applications include space heating, cooking,
water heating and industrial processes. An electric heater is an electrical device that converts
electric current to heat. The heating element inside every electric heater is an electrical resistor, and works on the principle of Joule
heating: an electric current passing through a resistor will convert that electrical energy into heat energy. Most modern electric
heating devices use nichrome wire as the active element; the heating element, depicted on the right, uses nichrome wire supported
by ceramic insulators.
4) Digital Thermometer
a) Specifications
i) Range : 15 – 115
ii) Wire with probe
iii) Digital thermometer

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 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 6.887
Volume 6 Issue V, May 2018- Available at www.ijraset.com

A thermometer is an instrument designed to measure and indicates the temperature of a specific application or condition. The digital
thermometer has a probe connected with the wire at one end and other end is to the display. when the probe is inserted on the liquid
it will sense the temperature and resulting temperature will be shown.
5) Heat Exchanging Apparatus-Test Rig
This apparatus is designed and made as per the above said design parameter. It is then connected to the power supply via voltmeter,
ammeter, auto transformer to vary current supply and to measure the heat input voltmeter and ammeter are used.

V. CALCULATIONS
A. Thermal Conductivity Of Nano Fluid

Where
knf =Thermal conductivity of Nanofluid
kP =Thermal conductivity of particle
φ =Volume fraction
kBF =Thermal conductivity of Base fluid.

B. Volume Fraction

Where φ is volume fraction

m is mass of nano particle
ρnp is density of nano particle
ρbf is density of base fluid

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 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 6.887
Volume 6 Issue V, May 2018- Available at www.ijraset.com

mbf is mass of base fluid

Assume φ = 0.2

VI. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

A. Data: Without Nanoparticle
Time (sec) Temperature (ºC)

0 30
96 50
108 55
115 60
122 65
132 70
142 75
150 80
162 85
176 90
185 95
195 100

B. Data: With Nanoparticle

Time (sec) Temperature (ºC)

0 30
64 50
78 55
87 60
94 65
106 70
115 75
121 80
129 85
137 90
144 95
156 100

©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved 998

 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 6.887
Volume 6 Issue V, May 2018- Available at www.ijraset.com

VII. CONCLUSION
Experiment concluded that the addition of nanoparticle to the base fluid alters the heat transfer coefficient and other physical
properties such as density, viscosity. Here we found that the time taken to absorb the heat was less for the nanofluid when compared
to base fluid. Variation in the properties of base fluid will depend upon the volume fraction of nanoparticle added. This obtained
data can be simulated in computational fluid dynamics to determine the flow parameters. Hence by using nanoparticle the efficiency
of heat transfer fluid used in the industry can be increased.

REFERENCES
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[2] Yu,W., Choi, S.U.S., ″The Role of Interfacial Layers in the Enhanced Thermal Conductivity of Nanofluids, A renovated Maxwell Model″, Journal of
Nanoparticle Research, Vol. 5, 2003
[3] A.K. Singh, “Thermal conductivity of nanofluids”, Defence Science J. vol.58. Sep’ 2008, pp. 600-607.
[4] Xuan, and Q. Li, “Investigation on convective heat transfer and flow features of nanofluids”, J. Heat trans, vol.125, 2003 pp.151-155.
[5] S. K, Das, N,Putra, P. Thesien, and W. Roetzel, “Temperature dependence of thermal conductivity enhancement for nanofluids”.
[6] Wang, X., Xu, X., Choi, S.U.S., "Thermal Conductivity of Nanoparticle-Fluid Mixture", Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, Vol. 13, No. 4, 1999, pp.
474-480.
[7] E.B. Maiga, C.T.N guyen, N. Galanis and G. Roy, “Heat transfer behaviours of nanofluids in a uniformly heated tube”, Super lattices and Microstructures,
vol.35, pp. 2004, pp.543 -557.
[8] A.L.Graham, “On the viscosity of suspensions of solid spheres”, Appl. Sci, Res.vol, 37, 1981, pp.275-286.
[9] C.T. Nguyen, F. Desgranges , G.Roy, N. Galanis, T.Mare, S.Boucher, and H. AngueMintsa,“Temperature and particle – size dependent viscosity data for water
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[10] MadhusreeKole and T.K. Dey, “Thermal Conductivity and Viscosity of Al2O3 nanofluid based on car engine coolant”, J. Phys. D. Appl. Phys., 43, 2010,
31550V

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