Numerical Study of Turbulent Flows and Convective Heat Transfer of Al 2 O 3-Water Nanofluids In A Circular Tube

Abstract

The convective heat transfer of Al2O3-water nanofluids through a circular tube with a constant heat flux boundary condition is studied numerically. Turbulent flow conditions are considered with a Reynolds number ranging from 3500 to 20000. The numerical method used is based on the single-phase model. Four volume concentrations of Al2O3-water nanoparticles (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2%) are used with a diameter of nanoparticle of 40 nm. A considerable increase in Nusselt number, axial velocity, and turbulent kinetic energy was found with increasing Reynolds number and volume fractions. However, the pressure losses were also increased with the rise of Re and nanoparticles concentration.