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 Raj 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 Al 2O3
nanoparticles in water + ethylene glycol can enhance the heat transfer rate
of automobile radiator depend on the amount of the nanoparticles added to
the conventional fluids 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
 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 suspension of nanoparticles in base fluid, typically water.
 Recent development of a nanotechnology brings out new heat transfer
coolant called ‘nanofluid’. These fluids exhibit larger thermal properties
than conventional coolants.
 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 –
“Experimental Investigation Of Heat Transfer water+propylene glycol (70:30)
Characteristics Of Automobile Radiator Using nanofluid coolant as used in automobile
TiO2 -Nanofluid Coolant”, Material Science And radiator and analysis them
Engineering 225(2017),ICMAEM-2017. experimentally at different flow rates.
And they give conclusion as TiO2
nanofluid with temperatre range of 50-80
degree Celsius at 0.3volume % it gives
8.5 % more heat transfer rate than base
fluids.

2 S.M.Peyghambarzadesh, S.H. Hashemabadi, M.

Seifi Jamnani, S.M. Hoseini, “Improving The Conduct experimental test on automobile
Cooling Performance Of Automobile Radiator radiator by using Al2O3 +water (20nm)
With Al2O3+Water Nanofluid”, Applied Thermal Nanofluid as coolant at different
Engineering 31 (2011) 1833-1838,2 March 2011. concentrations from 0.1 to 1% at
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, “Heat
Transfer Through Heat Exchanger Using Al 2O3 In this paper they discussed on heat
Nanofluid At Different Concentrations”, Case transfer through heat exchanger using
Studies In Thermal Engineering 1 (2013) 38-44,30 Al2O3 of 30 nm size Nanofluid at
August 2013. different volume concentrations from 0.3
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 Glycol size nanofluid in ethylene glycol and
And Water Mixture”,Energy Procedia 79 (2015)397- water mixture at different concentration
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 thethermal
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 by
Kanade, Y.S.Sable ,“Effect of Nanofluid on Cooling using nanofluids Al2O3 (20-30nm)
System of Engine” International Journal of +water at 1.2 vol % with a constant
Engineering and Applied Sciences (IJEAS) ISSN: mass 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 (20-
chiller system”, Nanoscale Research Letters 2011, 30nm) nanofluid in air conditioner of
6:297. 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 in
Al2O3-Water and Carbon Nanotube-Water Nanofluid” automobile radiator as a coolant under
Journal of Nanotechnology in Engineering and forced convection at a concentrations
Medicine, FEBRUARY 2014, Vol. 5 / 010901-1. 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 more heat transfer
(90.76% at 5 lpm) then Al2O3+water
(52.03% at 5lpm).

8
4. Objective of the Project Work

To improve the performance of an Automobile Radiator by using Al 2O3

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 flowmeter.
• Note down the inlet and outlet temperature by varying pump discharge.
• Plot the graph between discharge vs temperature.
• Plot the graph between inlet and outlet temperature.

14
6. Calculations

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

nanofluid is

(Φ)  Al 2O3
w Al 2O3 wbf
= (100- Φ)  bf

Where,
w Al 2O3 - weight of nano particles (grams)
 Al 2O3 - 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 Al 2O3 X 1000
= (100-0.03) (1064)

=1.11 grams (for 0.03 volume concentration)

w Al 2O3
S.No. Volume concentration (Φ) %
(grams) [per 1000ml]

1 0.03 1.11

2 0.06 2.22

16
 Calculations Cont…..

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

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

Where,
m = flow rate of Mass (Density * Volume flow rate)
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
 
  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 fluid (water) (kg/m-s)

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

19
 k   p  bf 
 k  2 k  2 k  k 1    3  
p bf
 kbf
Nanofluid Thermal conductivity,
 
 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)

21
Specifications of Nanoparticles

Chemical name of nanoparticles: - Aluminium oxide

Purity of nanoparticles: - 99.9 percentage
Appearance of nanoparticles: - white
SSA of nanoparticles: - 130-140 meter2/ gram.
Average particle size of nanoparticles: - 30-50 nanometer
Density of nanoparticles: -3.97 gram/centimeter3.
Morphology of nanoparticles: - spherical

22
Specifications of Nanoparticles Cont…..

Fig. Photographic view of Al 2 O 3 Nano particles

23
6.2 Properties of Nanofluid

Volume Thermal Specific Density Viscosity

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

Al2O3 0.03 0.69865 3822.4 1089.1 1.07811×10-3

0.06 0.82435 3518.89 1178.22 1.1533×10-3

24
7. Results

Heat transfer coefficient

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

25
Results Cont…..
7.1 Comparision of heat transfer coefficient with
conventional coolants
3500

3000
Heat transfer coefficient (W/m2K)

2500
Heat transfer coefficient (for
distilled water)
2000
Heat transfer coefficient (for
distilled water + Ethylene
1500 glycol))
Heat transfer coefficient (for
1000 Nanofluid at 0.03 vol.%)
Heat transfer coefficient (for
500 Nanofluid at 0.06 vol.%)

0
6 9 12
Flow rate (lpm)

26
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)

27
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

28
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.

29
10. Limitations

• Poor long term stability of suspension

• Lower specific heat
• High cost of nanofluids

30
11. Applications

31
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 Nano particle
added to water + ethylene glycol. 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.
When the volume concentration increasing to 0.06 vol.% the heat transfer
coefficient increases is in the range of 85% to 97% when compared to pure
water and when compared to Ethylene glycol it is between 62% to 76%. 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 value
of aluminum oxide nanofluid is increasing at whenever the volume
concentration of nanoparticles is increase. From above the volume fraction at
0.06% have a high heat transfer coefficient than 0.03 vol.%.
32
12.2 Future scope

In future they create a great impact on automotive industry. Because their

enhanced thermo physical properties over the base fluids like water, oil etc.
the nanofluids used in automobile for various applications such as coolant,
fuel additives, 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.

33
 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.

34
 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.

35
Thank
You
36