Chapter-4 Evaluation of Nanofluids Properties

CHAPTER-4
EVALUATION OF NANOFLUIDS PROPERTIES

Nanofluids are prepared in different percentages of volume fractions (0.2, 0.4,
0.6, 0.8 and 1) of Al2 O 3 nanoparticles in water to obtain the properties as discussed in the
previous chapter. The thermo physical properties of the prepared nanofluids are estimated
through various experiments. Thermal conductivity and Specific heat, Viscosity and
Density are measured using Guarded hot plate apparatus, Redwood viscometer-1 and
Specific gravity bottle method respectively.
4.1. MEASUREMENT OF THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY

Thermal conductivity of the nanofluids is estimated using Guarded hot plate
method apparatus for liquids (Fig. 4.1). Calibration of the apparatus is done by
comparison with the values of water (A2.1.).
Fig. 4.1 Guarded hot plate method apparatus

(Make: ARB Educational equipment, India)
The apparatus consists of guarded hot plate assembly and control unit. After
introducing the sample into the apparatus, three heating coils and thermocouple belt are
connected to the apparatus. Initially three sets of dimmer stats and temperature indicators
are set to zero. A power supply of 30 V to the main heater and 10 V to ring guard and top
guard is given and the water circulating system is adjusted to 5 lit/min. Once steady state
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is attained, readings from eleven thermocouples, voltmeter and ammeter are recorded.
Thermal conductivity of the sample is computed from the recorded steady state
temperatures for different power inputs using Fourier’s conduction law. For better results,
an average value of five measurements is taken.
4.1.1 Thermal conductivity of nanofluids

Thermal conductivity is measured at different of temperatures from 30o C to 80o C
for the different concentration of nanoparticles i.e. 0.2 %, 0.4 %, 0.6 %, 0.8 % and 1.0 %
by volume fraction. The data obtained by the experiment is shown in fig.4.2.
Fig.4.2 Thermal conductivity of nanofluids as a function of temperature
Equations 4.1 to 4.5 are the generalized polynomial equation for Al2 O 3 -water
nanofluid thermal conductivity with volume fractions 0.2 %, 0.4 %, 0.6 %, 0.8 % and 1.0
% respectively, derived from the experimental data obtained.
K 0.2 = -1.74045*10-8 T4 +4.3965*10-6 T3 -0.00037746 T2+0.015045 T+0.40136 (4.1)

-8 4 -5 3 2
K 0.4 = -7.803*10 T +1.9005*10 T -0.001623 T +0.060336 T-0.17679 (4.2)
K 0.6 = -9.9621*10-8 T4 +2.4381*10-5 T3 -0.0021059 T2+0.079475 T-0.43998 (4.3)
K 0.8 = -1.3295*10-7 T4 +3.4326*10-5 T3 -0.0030734 T2+0.1178 T-0.95676 (4.4)
K 1.0 = -1.072*10-7 T4 +2.5255*10-5 T3 -0.0020209 T2+0.070865 T-0.26781 (4.5)
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From figure 4.2, it is evident that thermal conductivity of nanofluids shows great
enhancement with increase in nanoparticles volume fraction and with rise in fluid
temperature. It is also observed that thermal conductivity of nanofluids gets enhanced by
44% to 55% for the volume fractions of 0.8%, and 1.0% respectively when the
temperature is increased to 80C. In nanofluid the main mechanism for thermal
conductivity enhancement can be attributed as the stochastic motion of the nanoparticles,
this Brownian like motion is dependent on fluid temperature.
4.2. MEASUREMENT OF SPECIFIC HEAT

Specific heat is measured using guarded hot plate method. After placing the fluid
sample into the equipment, energy required for 1o C raise in temperature is noted. Specific
heat of the sample is obtained by using simple energy balance equation. Specific heat of
known fluid i.e. water is found for calibration and is as shown in (A2.2). For better results
the procedure is repeated for five times and the average value is recorded.
4.2.1. Specific heat of nanofluids

The experimental data obtained for specific heat of nanofluid at different volume
fractions and temperatures is shown in fig.4. 3. Equations 4.6 to 4.10 are the generalized
polynomial equations for 0.2 %, 0.4 % , 0.6 %, 0.8 % and 1.0 % volume fractions of
Al2 O 3 -deionized water to represent specific heat.
Cp 0.2 = -3.7879*10-10 T4 +1.1869*10-7 T3 -1.0795*10-5 T2 -0.0006536 T+4.1561 (4.6)

Cp 0.4 = 7.197*10-9 T4 -1.7551*10-6 T3 +0.00015428 T2 -0.0052007 T+4.2166 (4.7)
Cp 0.6 = -5.303*10-9 T4 +1.1061*10-6 T3 -7.2803*10-5 T2 +0.0021537 T+4.1243 (4.8)
Cp 0.8 = -2.2727*10-9 T4 +2.6768*10-7 T3 +6.0606*10-6 T2 -0.00077796 T+4.1536 (4.9)
Cp 1.0 = 1.0227*10-8 T4 -2.4823*10-6 T3 +0.00021814 T2 -0.0076458 T+4.2277 (4.10)
The figure 4.3 shows that specific heat of nanofluid is in decreasing trend as the
nanoparticle volume fraction increases. The variation of specific heat for different
concentrations of nanofluids is very small, but there is much variation in specific heat
with change in temperature. For a nanofluid of large nanoparticle volume fraction, this
result indicates that low heat energy is needed to obtain the same temperature increment.
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Fig.4.3 Specific heat as a function of temperature for water-Al 2 O 3 nanofluids
4.3. MEASUREMENT OF VISCOSITY
The viscosity of nanofluid is estimated experimentally using Redwood

viscometer-I. The viscosities of the nanofluid at different volume fractions and at
different temperatures are measured. The Redwood viscometer-I is as shown in fig.4.4.
Before introducing the nanofluid, the equipment is tested with water whose
viscosities are known. Tests are conducted to measure the viscosity of water at different
temperatures for calibration purpose. A maximum of 5% error is obtained (shown in A3).
The kinematic viscosity of the nanofluid is calculated using the relationship.
 B
v =  At −  ×10-4 , m2 /s (4.11)
 t 
where ‘ν ’ is the kinematic viscosity of the nanofluid

A=0.00260 & B=1.791 are Redwood viscometer constants
‘t’ is the time taken in sec to collect 50 c.c. of nanofluid
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Fig.4.4 Redwood viscometer-I
(Make: AIMIL, India)
The effect of nanoparticle volume fraction and the fluid temperature on the
viscosity of nanofluid is analyzed. Viscometer containing the fluid sample is placed in the
water bath and steady state condition is maintained at the required temperature. The time
taken for 50cc collection of fluid under steady state condition is noted. The process is
repeated for the nanofluid samples at different temperatures. Regression equation is
developed based on the experimental data at different concentrations and temperatures.
4.3.1 Viscosity of nanofluids

Fig.4.5 shows the experimental values for viscosities of fluids which are obtained.
Viscosity is found gradually decreasing with increase in temperature but it increases with
increase in nanoparticle volume fraction as shown in fig. 4.5. Behavior of viscosity of
nanofluids with temperature is in same trend for all concentrations of nanoparticles added
to water.
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Fig.4.5 Viscosity as a function of te mperature for water-Al 2 O 3 nanofluids
Equations 4.12 to 4.16 represent the generalized polynomial equation of viscosity

for 0.2 % to 1.0 % volume fractions when Al2 O 3 nanoparticles dispersed in deionized
water which are derived from the data that is obtained by the experiments conducted
µ0.2 = 5.3788*10-8 T4 -1.4687*10-5 T3+0.0015355 T2 -0.079018 T+2.1865 (4.12)
µ0.4 = 6.0227*10-8 T4 -1.5927*10-5 T3+0.0016115 T2 -0.08057 T+2.2172 (4.13)
-8 4 -6 3+ 2
µ0.6 = 3.5227*10 T -9.3712*10 T 0.00099981 T -0.056799 T+1.9165 (4.14)
µ0.8 = 1.0985*10-8 T4 -2.6641*10-6 T3+0.00034473 T2 -0.030356 T+1.5711 (4.15)
µ1.0 = 2.537*10-8 T4 -5.8409*10-6 T3+0.0005858 T2 -0.037666 T+1.6655 (4.16)
4.4. MEASUREMENT OF DENSITY

For the measurement of density of nanofluids, specific gravity bottle method is
used (fig 4.6). First, the empty bottle is weighed and then filled with the deionized water.
The bottle filled with water at different temperatures ranging from 30C to 80C is weighed
for calibration (shown in A4). Then, the filled bottle with nanofluid samples is weighed
again at different temperatures. The specific gravity is estimated by taking the ratio of the
net weight of the nanofluid and deionized water.
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Fig.4.6 Specific gravity bottle
4.4.1 Density of nanofluids

The measured densities of nanofluids are presented in fig 4.7. It is found that as
nanoparticle volume fraction increases from 0.2% to 1%, density also increases.
Fig.4.7 Density as a function of temperature for water-Al 2 O 3 nanofluids
According to fig. 4.7, it can be understood that temperature has much influence on the
density of nanofluids. Density of nanofluids is higher than the base fluids i.e. deionized
63
water and with increase in temperature, density of nanofluids goes on decreasing. But at
high range of temperature i.e. above 60C, density of nanofluids appeared for all volume
fractions to be closer compared with at lower temperatures.
Equations 4.17 to 4.21 represent the generalized polynomial equation of viscosity
for 0.2 % to 1.0 % volume fractions when Al2 O 3 nanoparticles dispersed in deionized
water which are derived from the data that is obtained by the experiments conducted.
ρ 0.2= 1.8939*10-6 T4 -0.0001489 T3-0.019356 T2 +1.1994 T+995.07 (4.17)

ρ 0.4= -1.2879*10-5 T4 +0.0031465 T3 -0.27621 T2 +9.2842 T+922.83 (4.18)
ρ 0.6= -8.333*10-6 T4 +0.0019444 T3 -0.15917 T2 +4.3103 T+1008.5 (4.19)
ρ 0.8= -2.5379*10-5 T4 +0.0061187 T3 -0.51913 T2 +16.857 T+874.62 (4.20)
ρ 1.0= 2.6515*10-6 T4 -0.00033081 T3+0.0014015 T2 -0.52168 T+1092 (4.21)
4.5. SUMMARY
Nanofluids are prepared with optimum process parameters. Basic thermo physical
properties like thermal conductivity, viscosity, specific heat and density of nanofluids are
measured. Empirical models for nanofluid properties are developed based on
experimental data, these correlations are used for characterization of nanofluids.
However, the above correlations are valid for the specified nanofluids only.
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CHAPTER-4

EVALUATION OF NANOFLUIDS PROPERTIES

4.1. MEASUREMENT OF THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY

Fig. 4.1 Guarded hot plate method apparatus

4.1.1 Thermal conductivity of nanofluids

Fig.4.2 Thermal conductivity of nanofluids as a function of temperature

K 0.2 = -1.74045*10-8 T4 +4.3965*10-6 T3 -0.00037746 T2+0.015045 T+0.40136 (4.1)

4.2. MEASUREMENT OF SPECIFIC HEAT

4.2.1. Specific heat of nanofluids

Cp 0.2 = -3.7879*10-10 T4 +1.1869*10-7 T3 -1.0795*10-5 T2 -0.0006536 T+4.1561 (4.6)

4.3. MEASUREMENT OF VISCOSITY

The viscosity of nanofluid is estimated experimentally using Redwood

where ‘ν ’ is the kinematic viscosity of the nanofluid

4.3.1 Viscosity of nanofluids

Equations 4.12 to 4.16 represent the generalized polynomial equation of viscosity

4.4. MEASUREMENT OF DENSITY

4.4.1 Density of nanofluids

Fig.4.7 Density as a function of temperature for water-Al 2 O 3 nanofluids

ρ 0.2= 1.8939*10-6 T4 -0.0001489 T3-0.019356 T2 +1.1994 T+995.07 (4.17)

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K 0.2 = -1.7404510-8 T4 +4.396510-6 T3 -0.00037746 T2+0.015045 T+0.40136 (4.1)

Cp 0.2 = -3.787910-10 T4 +1.186910-7 T3 -1.0795*10-5 T2 -0.0006536 T+4.1561 (4.6)