Title: Numerical modelling of different types of nanofluids used to enhance the thermal performance of automotive radiator

Authors: Karaar Mahdi Al-Araji; M.A. Almoussawi; Dhafer M. Hachim; Kareem J. Alwaan

Addresses: Engineering Technical College of Najaf, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, 31001 Najaf, Iraq ' Engineering Technical College of Najaf, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, 31001 Najaf, Iraq ' Engineering Technical College of Najaf, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, 31001 Najaf, Iraq ' Najaf Technical Institute, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, 31001 Najaf, Iraq

Abstract: Nanofluids are used to reduce the amount of heat and to increase the thermal performance of the automotive engine. In this work, the effect of nanofluids on the thermal performance of automotive radiators has been studied numerically using the COMSOL Multiphysics software V.5.4 on three types of nanofluids (Al₂O₃, CuO and MWCNT) at different volume concentrations of 0.5%, 1, 2% and at different flow rates (4, 6, 8) L/min with inlet temperatures of 60°C, 70°C and 80°C. Results were compared with previous studies with high sobriety to verify the numerical analysis results. The results found an excellent convergence of 6.2% for experimental research and 7.6% for numerical studies. The results also showed that the best thermal performance is obtained by using MWCNT nanofluid. The highest percentage of improvement obtained in the Nusselt number was 25.83%, 42.37%, and 59.7% at volume concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 2%, respectively.

Keywords: nanofluid; comsol multiphysics; heat transfer; MWCNTs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPM.2022.131559

International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling, 2022 Vol.19 No.3/4, pp.138 - 147

Received: 14 Oct 2021
Received in revised form: 14 Dec 2022
Accepted: 01 Feb 2023
Published online: 19 Jun 2023 *

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