Nanofluid Heat Transfer: Enhancement of the Heat Transfer Coefficient inside Microchannels

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of a connector between two microchannels, for the first time. A brief literature review is provided to offer a better understanding on the impacts of concentration and the characteristics of nanoparticles on thermal conductivity, viscosity, and, consequently, the heat transfer coefficient inside the microchannels. The given literature review aims to help engineer nanofluids to enhance the heat transfer coefficient inside the microchannels. In this research, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were introduced into the base liquid to enhance the heat transfer coefficient inside the microchannels and to provide a better understanding of the impact of the connector between two microchannels. It was observed that the connector has a significant impact on enhancing the heat transfer coefficient inside the second microchannel, by increasing the level of randomness of molecules and particles prior to entering the second channel. The connector would act to refresh the memory of the fluid before entering the second channel, and as a result, the heat transfer coefficient in the second channel would start at a maximum value. Therefore, the overall heat transfer coefficient in both microchannels would increase for given conditions. The impacts of the Reynolds number and introducing nanoparticles in the base liquid on effects induced by the connector were investigated, suggesting that both factors play a significant role on the connector’s impact on the heat transfer coefficient.