Effect of Nanofluids as Coolant in Automotive Radiator - A Numerical Approach

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V. Bejoy Daniel
N. Prakash
C. Prasad
J. Godwin John
V. Hariram

Abstract

By using the commercial modelling software, a 3D model of the automotive radiator has been designed. A commercial CFD tool has been used for the numerical study of the radiator. The nanofluids are used as coolant with water to increase the cooling efficiency. Nanofluids such as aluminium oxide (Al2O3), copper oxide (CuO) and silicon carbide (SiC) are mixed with ethylene glycol and water to improve the cooling efficiency in this study. At constant temperature, the air velocity is varied from 20 m/s to 30 m/s. An average heat transfer coefficient of various nanofluids for the varied air velocity at constant temperature has increased when the nanofluids are added in the water/ ethylene glycol based on the experimental data. As a coolant, silicon carbide nanofluid was shown to transfer the heat better than aluminium oxide, copper oxide, silver nitrate, iron oxide and ethylene glycol. Nusselt and Reynolds numbers have been shown to be higher. To achieve cooling efficiency, an increase in heat transfer with a change in air velocity is required. The cooling efficiency of the silicon carbide was increased up to 15% when compared to Al2O3 nanofluids.

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