The addition of a small amount of nanoparticles in heat transfer fluids results in the new thermal phenomena of nanofluids (nanoparticle-fluid suspensions) reported in many investigations. However, traditional conductivity theories such as the Maxwell or other macroscale approaches cannot explain the thermal behavior of nanofluids. Recently, Jang and Choi proposed and modeled for the first time the Brownian-motion-induced nanoconvection as a key nanoscale mechanism governing the thermal behavior of nanofluids, but did not clearly explain this and other new concepts used in the model. This paper explains in detail the new concepts and simplifying assumptions and reports the effects of various parameters such as the ratio of the thermal conductivity of nanoparticles to that of a base fluid, volume fraction, nanoparticle size, and temperature on the effective thermal conductivity of nanofluids. Comparison of model predictions with published experimental data shows good agreement for nanofluids containing oxide, metallic, and carbon nanotubes.
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Effects of Various Parameters on Nanofluid Thermal Conductivity
Seok Pil Jang,
Seok Pil Jang
School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering,
Hankuk Aviation University
, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, 412-791, Korea Energy Systems Division, Argonne National Laboratory
, Argonne, IL 60439
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Stephen U. S. Choi
Stephen U. S. Choi
Energy Systems Division,
Argonne National Laboratory
, Argonne, IL 60439
Search for other works by this author on:
Seok Pil Jang
School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering,
Hankuk Aviation University
, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, 412-791, Korea Energy Systems Division, Argonne National Laboratory
, Argonne, IL 60439
Stephen U. S. Choi
Energy Systems Division,
Argonne National Laboratory
, Argonne, IL 60439J. Heat Transfer. May 2007, 129(5): 617-623 (7 pages)
Published Online: August 2, 2006
Article history
Received:
April 30, 2005
Revised:
August 2, 2006
Citation
Pil Jang, S., and Choi, S. U. S. (August 2, 2006). "Effects of Various Parameters on Nanofluid Thermal Conductivity." ASME. J. Heat Transfer. May 2007; 129(5): 617–623. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2712475
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