Heat Transfer Performance Analysis of Green Nanofluids as Coolant in Automotive Radiator for Motorcycle Engine

Abstract

The use of nanoparticle coolants in automotive radiators for motorcycle engines increases the heat transfer rate and facilitates a reduction in overall radiator size. In this study, the heat transfer and pressure drop of green nanofluid (ZrO2-SiO2) based on EG/Water (40:60) were analyzed experimentally and compared with base fluids (water, and EG/Water). Three different concentrations were prepared by adding 0.1 to 0.3% of green nanofluids (ZrO2-SiO2/EG-Water). Experiments were carried out by varying the coolant flow rate between 4 to 18 LPM for a working temperature of 80 °C, the air flow rate remained at 4 m/s, to understand the effect of coolant flow rate on heat transfer and pressure drop in the system. The results show that the heat transfer performance of green nanofluid (ZrO2-SiO2/EG-Water) has been investigated for volume concentrations up to 0.3% and working temperatures of 80°C. The maximum increase in heat transfer coefficient for the cooling side was observed to be 47.17% at a volume concentration of 0.3%. The decrease in pressure has the same pattern as the increase in volume concentration.