Heat Transfer Enhancement of Car Radiator Using Al₂ O₃ / Water Nanofluid in the Presence of Electric Field; an Experimental Study

Abstract

In this experimental study, Aluminums Oxide (Al₂O₃) in Pure Water (PW) as nanofluid was used for heat transfer enhancement in car radiator together with electric field. Electric field with different voltage 8, 11, 14 kV and nanofluids with volume concentrations of 0.08%, 0.5% and 1% were investigated. From the experiments, it was found that the unit with electric field pronounced better heat transfer rate, especially at low fan speed. In addition heat transfer coefficient and heat transfer rate in engine cooling system increased with the usage of nanofluids Al₂O₃/PW compared to Pure Water alone. With the use of nanofluid with concentration of 1% and electric field for fan speed 600 and 1200 rpm, thermal performance factors were in a range between, 1.8–3.2 and 1.6–1.74, respectively. Thermal performance factor is more than 1 in all of cases, and it can be concluded that this technique can be used in car radiators to improve heat transfer.