Natural convection heat transfer of water-based CuO and water-based Al2O3 nanofluids through a horizontal plate

Abstract

In this study, natural convection heat transfer of water-based CuO and water-based Al2O3 nanofluids through a horizontal plate at steady-state temperature has been investigated. Fluid was assumed Newtonian and incompressible and flow two dimensional and laminar. It is assumed that the only force acting on the fluid is the force of gravity. Governing equations of flow and heat transfer have been solved by COMSOL Multiphysics 4.3 Simulation Program. In the literature, various models have been proposed to determine the thermal conductivity coefficient of the nanofluids. Yu and Choi model (2013)l, for nanofluid thermal conductivity, and Brinkman’s (1952) model, for viscosity of nanofluid, are used in this study. Computational results are obtained for nanoparticle volume fractions of 0, 0.5%, and 10% and for Rayleigh numbers ranging from 104, 105, and 106. Results show that usage of nanoparticle causes a significant increase at heat transfer rate from horizontal plate.