CFD Analysis of Heat Transfer Performance in a Car Radiator with Nanofluids as Coolants

Nanofluids are the new developed thermal fluids with enhanced thermophysical properties which can improve heat transfer performance of various applications. By introducing nanoparticles with high thermal conductivity in the car radiator coolant can enhance the effective thermal conductivity of coolant which improves the performance of cooling system. Alumina, silica and copper oxide nanoparticles with ethylene glycol-water mixture (60:40) have been used in 3-dimentional car radiator simulations to study fluid flow patterns and heat transfer performance. Heat transfer performance for ethylene glycol-water mixture based nanofluids at different nanoparticle concentrations has been studied. Heat transfer coefficients are determined by numerical simulations with varying coolant velocities. Overall heat transfer performance is found to be improved using nanofluids with high effective thermal conductivity. Results display significant increase in heat transfer performance of coolant in car radiator with an increase in the particle loading.