EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THERMAL

PERFORMANCE OF AL2O3 NANOFLUIDS

IN AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR SYSTEM

Guided by, Presented by,

Prof. Arjun M EDWIN TOM TITUS (TLY15ME022)
Asst. Professor JISHNU CHANDRAN (TLY15ME028)
Mechanical Engineering Dept. NITHIN THOMAS (TLY15ME042)
RAHOOL RAJAN (TLY15ME045)
 OVERVIEW
 Established single phase fluids such as water and ethylene glycol usually possesses poor

thermal conducting properties.

 One of the innovative efforts to enhance heat transfer in automotive car is by using a new

type of coolant called Nano coolant.

 Thermal properties of single phased fluids can be increased by dispersion of smaller particles

with high thermal properties called Nano particles.

 Fluids containing a suspension of Nano meter sized particles found to own substantially high

thermal conductivity compared to their base fluids.

 This research focus is on finding the thermal performance of Al2O3 Nano fluid mixed with

ethylene glycol water mixture in various volumetric concentration and to analyse the heat

transfer rate during a particular period of time.

INTRODUCTION
 Day today people need to own automobiles to make their work faster and simpler.

 By seeing the increasing demand of vehicles, automobile industries must develop high
efficient and economical engines which consumes less fuel.

 There are various ways to increase the efficiency of the engine by optimized design of
engine which reduces the weight, effective cooling and increasing performance.

 Cooling effect can be enhanced by use of efficient coolant in automobile radiator.

 Conventional coolant is a water and ethylene glycol mixture having high boiling point and
lower freezing point.

 Great effort have been spent in order to increase the thermal efficiency of the coolants until
the recent emergence of a promising new class of Nano coolants.
 Nano coolant is the mixture of Nano particles mixed with water and ethylene glycol.

 Nano meter particles (<100nm size) has larger surface area which when dispersed in water
and ethylene glycol mixture will have enhanced heat transfer rate.

 Enhancement in thermal properties depends on the method of preparation, particle size,

type of particles, etc.

 Examples of nanoparticles used as Nano fluids are Al2O3, CuO, CNT, SiO2, etc.

 Apart from radiator coolant Nano fluids are used in various fields such as medicine,
electronics, etc.

 Even though Nano coolant is a good replacement of conventional coolants improvements

are still being made.
WHY NANOPARTICLES?
 Nano particles stay suspended much longer than micro particles and if below a threshold

level and/or enhanced with surfactants/stabilized, remain in suspension almost indefinitely.

 For Nano particles, the surface area per unit volume is much larger than that of micro

particles. By virtue of this property erosion and clogging can be reduced.

 These properties can be utilized to develop stable suspensions with enhanced flow, heat

transfer and other characteristics.

COMMONLY USED NANOFLUIDS

 Copper Oxide

 Iron Oxide

 Aluminium oxide

 Titanium Oxide

 Zirconia

 Tungsten Trioxide

 Silicon Oxide
 LITERATURE REVIEW
AUTHOR JOURNAL KEY OBSERVATIONS
Adnan M et al Study of forced convection Nano • Applications of SiO2 Nano
fluid heat transfer in the automotive fluids with low volumetric
cooling system, Case studies in concentrations can enhance
thermal engineering. (2014) the heat transfer rate up to
50%.
• CNT Nano fluids can also
be used for enhancing the
heat transfer coefficient.

Hafiz et al Experimental investigation of • ZnO-water Nano fluids on

convective heat transfer car radiator reported to
augmentation for car radiator using enhance the heat transfer
ZnO water Nano fluids. (2015) performance.
• Best heat transfer
enhancement up to 46%
was found at 0.2%
volumetric concentration
J Madhukiran et al Performance test on flat fin • Al2O3 and CuO Nano fluids
automotive radiator using Nano of concentrations 0.5% and
fluids. (2017) 1% are taken.
• CuO nanoparticles are
slightly higher heat transfer
rate than Al2O3 .

K P Vasudevan et al Experimental study of heat transfer • Experiments conducted at

enhancement in automobile constant coolant flowrate
radiator using Al2O3/water ethylene and coolant temperature.
glycol Nano fluid coolants. (2015) • Addition of 1% volume
nanoparticles in 80:20
mixture enhanced the heat
transfer by 37%.
Parashurama et al Experimental study of heat • CuO Nano fluid is used
transfer in a radiator using Nano with 10% of CuO in base
fluid. (2015) fluid.
• Heat transfer rate vs. mass
flow rate and wind velocity
graphs plotted.
Sandesh et al Thermal performance of • Synthesis method,
automobile radiator using Carbon variation in pH and
Nanotube- water Nano fluid- nanoparticle concentrations
experimental study. (2014) in heat transfer rate are
studied.
• CNT Nano coolant with
5.5pH exhibits better
performance than coolants
with 6.5 and 9pH.
S.M Peyghambarzadeh et al Improving the cooling • The volumetric
performance of automobile concentration of Al2O3 are
radiator with Al2O3 water varied within 0.1% to 1%.
Nano fluid. (2015) • Addition of 1% showed
40% improvement is
observed in Nusselt
number.
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
By using Nano fluids instead of conventional coolants we can:

 Improve the heat removal rate.

 Improve engine efficiency.

 Reduce size of radiator.

 Decrease the weight of the vehicle.

 Increases the fuel economy.

PROPERTIES OF NANO FLUIDS
 Density of Nano fluids decreases with increase in temperature.

 Thermal conductivity of Nano fluids increases with temperature as well as with increase in

concentration of particles.

 Viscosity of Nano fluids decrease with increase in temperature.

 Specific heat of Nano fluids increases with increase in increase in temperature.

ADVANTAGES
 High specific surface area.

 High dispersion stability.

 Reduced pumping power.

 Reduced particle clogging.

 High thermal conductivity.

LIMITATIONS
 Lower specific heat.

 High cost of Nano fluids

 Availability

 Difficulty in synthesis
OBJECTIVES
 To test the thermal performance using ordinary water.

 To study the thermal performance of Nano fluid in automobile radiator system.

 Test the performance using water mixed with Ethylene glycol

 Test the performance of Nano fluid mixed with water, ethylene glycol
METHODOLOGY
Tests are conducted on experimental setup initially with water and glycol water mixture and
then with different concentrations of Aluminium Oxide-water Nano fluid.

1. Pure water is filled in the reservoir, heater is switched on until desired inlet temperature is
achieved.

2. Heated water is circulated through the radiator and its outlet temperature is measured, at
various time interval using the temperature measurement circuit.

3. The same procedure above is repeated for water ethylene glycol mixture at 3:1 ratio.

4. Test is carried out by mixing nano particles with ethyelen glycol water mixture.
5. Nano particles are added to the base fluid (Water-Ethylene glycol mixture, 1:9 ratio), at
varying volumetric concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%).

6. Allow the system to reach at steady state conditions, where all temperatures of Nano fluid
are stable.

7. Note Nano fluid inlet and outlet temperatures.

8. Repeat the above procedure for different concentration of Nano fluids.

COMPONENTS
1. HEATER

A heater converts electricity into heat through the process of resistive or Joule heating.
Electric current passing through the element encounters resistance, resulting in heating of the
element.
2. FRAME
This is made of mild steel material. The whole parts are mounted on this frame structure
with the suitable arrangement.

3. PUMP

A pump is a device that moves fluids (liquids or gases), or sometimes slurries, by

mechanical action.

Specifications:

Voltage: 165V 230V/50Hz ac

Power: 40W

Lifting height: 2.8 meters

Output: 3800L/h
4. BLOWER FAN

Blower Fan is used to support the cooling process of the radiator so as to increase the heat
transfer rate.

Specifications:

Manufacturer: Airson

RPM on load: 1400/2800 rpm

Sweep: 230MM(9’’)
5. TEMPERATURE SENSOR

A temperature sensor is a device, typically, a thermocouple or RTD that provides for

temperature measurement through an electrical signal. A thermocouple (T/C) is made
from two dissimilar metals that generate electrical voltage in direct proportion to changes
in temperature.
6. FLOW METER
Flow meter is used to determine the flow of the fluid and to control the fluid flow.
The current flow meter has a maximum flowrate of 10L/min.
7. RADIATOR

Radiator is used as a heat exchanger to transfer thermal energy from one medium to
another for the purpose of heating and cooling.
PROPOSED DESIGN
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
GEOMETRICAL SPECIFICATION AND CHARECTERISTICS OF ALUMINIUM OXIDE
NANOPARTICLES

Appearance White

Purity >99.5%

Crystal size 40nm

Specific Surface area 18m2/kg

Phase FCC

Shape Spherical

Thermal Conductivity 30W/mK

Density 3890 Kg/m3

INLET AND OUTLET TEMPERATURE WHEN USING WATER AS THE
COOLANT
Inlet and outlet temperature while using pure water as coolant is obtained at a constant flow rate of 4L/min.

50

45

40

35
Temperature(℃)
30

25

20

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Time(min)
INLET AND OUTLET TEMPERATURES WHEN USING WATER-
ETHYLENE GLYCOL MIXTURE AS COOLANT
Outlet temperatures while using Water-Ethylene Glycol mixture (3:1) as coolant is obtained.

50

45

40

35
Temperature(℃) 30

25

20

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Time(min)
 INLET AND OUTLET TEMPERATURE WHILE USING 0.5%
NANOPARTICLES WITH WATER ETHYLENE GLYCOL MIXTURE
Outlet temperature while using Water-Ethylene Glycol mixture with 0.5% nanoparticles by volume is obtained

50

45

40

35

Temperature(℃)
30

25

20

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Time(min)
 INLET AND OUTLET TEMPERATURE WHILE USING 1%
NANOPARTICLES WITH WATER ETHYLENE GLYCOL MIXTURE
Outlet temperature while using Water-Ethylene Glycol mixture with 1% nanoparticles by volume is obtained

50

45

40

35

Temperature(℃)
30

25

20

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 Time(min) 20 25 30 35
 INLET AND OUTLET TEMPERATURE WHILE USING 2%
NANOPARTICLES WITH WATER ETHYLENE GLYCOL MIXTURE
Outlet temperature while using Water-Ethylene Glycol mixture with 2% nanoparticles by volume is obtained

50

45

40

35

Temperature(℃) 30

25

20

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Time(min)
 INLET AND OUTLET TEMPERATURE WHILE USING 3%
NANOPARTICLES WITH WATER ETHYLENE GLYCOL MIXTURE
Outlet temperature while using Water-Ethylene Glycol mixture with 3% nanoparticles by volume is
obtained

50

45

40

Temperature(℃) 35

30

25

20

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Time(min)
COMPARISON OF THE RESULTS
50

45

40

Temperature(℃)
35

30

25

20

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Time(min)

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6
T1= Water as radiator fluid

T2= 1 litre of Ethylene Glycol mixed with 3 litres of Water

T3= 0.5% of nanoparticle added to the solution

T4= 1% of nanoparticles added to the solution

T5= 2% of nanoparticles added to the solution

T6= 3% of nanoparticles added to the solution

 The above graphs show the outlet radiator temperature when cooled using Nano fluid
powered car radiators with different volumetric concentration of nanoparticles (0.5%, 1%,
2% and 3%).

 One can really observe that the fluid outlet temperature has decreased with the augmentation
of nanoparticles volume concentration.

 From the above conducted tests it was found that 1% of nanoparticles mixed with 4 litres of
ethylene glycol water mixture (1:3) has more heat transfer rate than other compositions.

 From a practical view point for every cooling system at equal mass flow rate the more
reduction in working fluid temperature indicates a better thermal performance of the cooling
system

 Brownian motion of nanoparticles may be one of the factors in the enhancement of heat
transfer.
 CONCLUSION
 Conventional coolants has reasonable heat transfer efficiency as compared to pure water, and is
extensively used in automobile industry.

 A mixture of Nano fluids in the Ethylene Glycol solution can be used as an improvement in the
radiator working fluid.

 Use of Nano fluid (Al2O3) can increase the heat transfer efficiency of the automobile radiators due
to its superior thermal conductivity.

 The increased heat transfer rate will also lead to the requirement of less amount of coolant liquid
for same heat transfer, a smaller and more compact radiator and, a less coolant pumping effort.

 By conducting experiments with Nano fluids at various concentrations, optimum concentration can
be found out.

 Smaller coolant systems results in smaller and lighter radiators which benefits almost every aspects
of vehicles contributing to increase in fuel economy.
FUTURE SCOPE
 Develops method of producing non agglomerating nanoparticles measuring <10nm size

and preventing oxidation of metallic nanoparticles.

 Measure and predict the thermal conductivity and viscosity of Nano fluid.

 Measure and predict flow and heat transfer behaviour in micro channels as a function of

nanoparticle type, size, geometry and concentrations.

 Develop and understand the fundamental mechanisms of thermal conductivity.

 Scaling up the use of Nano fluids in the heat transfer systems like solar collectors,

automobile cooling systems, HVAC systems.

 Develop Nano fluids that are environmental friendly and wear resistant.

 Develop Hybrid Nano fluids and study their performance in vehicle cooling.
REFERENCES
 Adnan M. Hussein, R.A. Bakar K. Kadirgama, (2014) Study of forced convection Nano fluid
heat transfer in the automotive cooling system, Case Studies in Thermal Engineering.
 BeriacheM'hamed et.al (2016) Experimental study on thermal performance of MWCNT Nano
coolant in PeroduaKelisa 1000cc radiator system, International Communications in Heat and
Mass Transfer.
 Hafiz Muhammad Ali et al (2015) Experimental investigation of convective heat transfer
augmentation for car radiator using ZnO water Nano fluids, Energy 84 317-324.
 J. Madhu Kiran et al (2017) Performance Test on Flat Fin Automotive Radiator using Nano
Fluids, Vol.10 No.13.
 K.P. Vasudevan Nambeesan, et al (2015) Experimental study of heat transfer enhancement in
automobile radiator using Al2O3/water–ethylene glycol Nano fluid coolants.
 Parashurama et al (2015) Experimental Study of Heat Transfer in a Radiator using Nano fluid.
 Sandesh S. Chougule, S. K. Sahu,(2014) Thermal Performance of Automobile Radiator Using
Carbon Nanotube-Water Nano fluid—Experimental Study.
 Siraj Ali Ahmed et al (2018), Improving car radiator performance by using TiO2-water Nano
fluid, Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal.
 S.M Peyghambarzadeh et al (2015) Improving the cooling performance of automobile radiator
with Al2O3/water Nano fluid. ApplThermEng.
THANK YOU