Thermophysical and Heat transfer Characteristics of R134a-TiO2 Nanorefrigerant: A Numerical Investigation

Abstract

Nanorefrigerants are new class of nanofluids in which nanoparticles are suspended in the refrigerant host fluid. They have superior thermophysical and heat transfer characteristics than conventional refrigerants. Present study investigates the thermophysical, heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of TiO2-R134a nanorefrigerants flow boiling in a mini tube. Studies have been conducted at various heat fluxes, vapour qualities and particle concentrations. From the studies it is observed that the presence of nanoparticles in refrigerant can enhance the thermophysical and heat transfer characteristics. Studies show that with TiO2-R134a nanorefrigerant, the heat transfer coefficient increases by 30.2% when particle concentration is 1.5 %.