Using analytic Hierarchy Process for evaluating different types of nanofluids for engine cooling systems

Abstract

The radiator is an important heat exchanger for cooling the engine. Usually, water and ethylene glycol are used in vehicles as cooling fluids. However, these fluids have lower thermal conductivity. In the automotive industry, coolants with better characteristics are being searched to develop more efficient engines. In recent years, nanofluids have become more attractive to car manufacturers, with higher thermal conductivity to increase heat transfer. In this study, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used to structure the decision problem and to attribute weights to criteria. Three types of nanofluid (Cu-water, NiO-water and CuO-water) were evaluated. Among the thermophysical properties of nanofluid, the most important one is calculated as the thermal conductivity and also the Cu-water is determined as the most suitable coolant in terms of thermophysical properties among the evaluated nanofluid.