Here we show through an order-of-magnitude analysis that the enhancement in the effective thermal conductivity of nanofluids is due mainly to the localized convection caused by the Brownian movement of the nanoparticles. We also introduce a convective-conductive model which accurately captures the effects of particle size, choice of base liquid, thermal interfacial resistance between the particles and liquid, temperature, etc. This model is a combination of the Maxwell-Garnett (MG) conduction model and the convection caused by the Brownian movement of the nanoparticles, and reduces to the MG model for large particle sizes. The model is in good agreement with data on water, ethylene glycol, and oil-based nanofluids, and shows that the lighter the nanoparticles, the greater the convection effect in the liquid, regardless of the thermal conductivity of the nanoparticles.
Skip Nav Destination
e-mail: ravi.s.prasher@intel.com
Article navigation
Research Papers
Brownian-Motion-Based Convective-Conductive Model for the Effective Thermal Conductivity of Nanofluids
Ravi Prasher,
e-mail: ravi.s.prasher@intel.com
Ravi Prasher
Intel Corporation
, CH5-157, 5000 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85226-3699
Search for other works by this author on:
Prajesh Bhattacharya,
Prajesh Bhattacharya
Arizona State University
, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Tempe, AZ 85287-6106
Search for other works by this author on:
Patrick E. Phelan
Patrick E. Phelan
Arizona State University
, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Tempe, AZ 85287-6106
Search for other works by this author on:
Ravi Prasher
Intel Corporation
, CH5-157, 5000 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85226-3699e-mail: ravi.s.prasher@intel.com
Prajesh Bhattacharya
Arizona State University
, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Tempe, AZ 85287-6106
Patrick E. Phelan
Arizona State University
, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Tempe, AZ 85287-6106J. Heat Transfer. Jun 2006, 128(6): 588-595 (8 pages)
Published Online: November 7, 2005
Article history
Received:
August 10, 2005
Revised:
November 7, 2005
Citation
Prasher, R., Bhattacharya, P., and Phelan, P. E. (November 7, 2005). "Brownian-Motion-Based Convective-Conductive Model for the Effective Thermal Conductivity of Nanofluids." ASME. J. Heat Transfer. June 2006; 128(6): 588–595. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2188509
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Bayesian Inference for Estimating Heat Sources through Temperature Assimilation
J. Heat Mass Transfer
The Effect of U-bend Zone, Rotation, and Corrugation on Two-Pass Channel Flow
J. Heat Mass Transfer
Exergy and Entropy Analysis of Heat Exchanger Under Mechanical Vibration and Magnetic Field
J. Heat Mass Transfer (January 2025)
Related Articles
Effect of Brownian Motion on Thermal Conductivity of Nanofluids
J. Heat Transfer (April,2008)
Experimental Investigation of Turbulent Convective Heat Transfer and Pressure Loss of Alumina/Water and Zirconia/Water Nanoparticle Colloids (Nanofluids) in Horizontal Tubes
J. Heat Transfer (April,2008)
Thermal Conductivity Equations Based on Brownian Motion in Suspensions of Nanoparticles (Nanofluids)
J. Heat Transfer (April,2008)
Experimental Study of Heat Conduction in Aqueous Suspensions of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles
J. Heat Transfer (September,2008)
Related Chapters
Energy Balance for a Swimming Pool
Electromagnetic Waves and Heat Transfer: Sensitivites to Governing Variables in Everyday Life
Completing the Picture
Air Engines: The History, Science, and Reality of the Perfect Engine
Steady Heat Conduction with Variable Heat Conductivity
Introduction to Finite Element, Boundary Element, and Meshless Methods: With Applications to Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow