Article: Performance analysis of louvered fin tube automotive radiator using nanofluids as coolants Journal: International Journal of Nanomanufacturing (IJNM) 2013 Vol.9 No.1 pp.51 - 65 Abstract: Nanofluids, the new generation heat transfer fluids, offer higher heat transfer properties compared to that of conventional automotive engine coolants. Energetic and exergetic analyses as well as theoretical performance analyses of the louvered fin tube automotive radiator using nanofluids as coolants have been done to study its performance improvement. Effects of various operating parameters using Cu, SiC, Al2O3 and TiO2 nanofluids with 80% water - 20% ethylene glycol as a base fluid are presented in this article. Use of nanofluid as coolant in radiator improves the effectiveness, cooling capacity with the reduction in pumping power. SiC-80% H2O-20% EG (base fluid) yields best performance in radiator having louvered fin geometry followed by Al2O3-base fluid, TiO2-base fluid and Cu-base fluid. The maximum cooling capacity improvement for SiC is 15.34%, whereas that for Al2O3 is 14.33%, for TiO2 is 14.03% and for Cu is 10.20% as coolants and enhancement in second law efficiency for SiC is highest (20.13%) followed by Al2O3 (19.60%), TiO2 (19.14%), Cu (16.85%) nanofluids compare to base fluid as a coolant alone. Present study reveals that the nanofluids may effectively use as coolant in automotive radiators to improve the performance. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Performance analysis of louvered fin tube automotive radiator using nanofluids as coolants

Authors: Jahar Sarkar; Rahul Tarodiya

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, UP-221005, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, UP-221005, India

Abstract: Nanofluids, the new generation heat transfer fluids, offer higher heat transfer properties compared to that of conventional automotive engine coolants. Energetic and exergetic analyses as well as theoretical performance analyses of the louvered fin tube automotive radiator using nanofluids as coolants have been done to study its performance improvement. Effects of various operating parameters using Cu, SiC, Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ nanofluids with 80% water - 20% ethylene glycol as a base fluid are presented in this article. Use of nanofluid as coolant in radiator improves the effectiveness, cooling capacity with the reduction in pumping power. SiC-80% H₂O-20% EG (base fluid) yields best performance in radiator having louvered fin geometry followed by Al₂O₃-base fluid, TiO₂-base fluid and Cu-base fluid. The maximum cooling capacity improvement for SiC is 15.34%, whereas that for Al₂O₃ is 14.33%, for TiO₂ is 14.03% and for Cu is 10.20% as coolants and enhancement in second law efficiency for SiC is highest (20.13%) followed by Al₂O₃ (19.60%), TiO₂ (19.14%), Cu (16.85%) nanofluids compare to base fluid as a coolant alone. Present study reveals that the nanofluids may effectively use as coolant in automotive radiators to improve the performance.

Keywords: louvered fin geometry; performance evaluation; nanofluids; automotive radiators; automobile industry; louvered fin tubes; coolant; heat transfer; nanotechnology; energy analysis; exergy analysis; pumping power.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2013.052881

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2013 Vol.9 No.1, pp.51 - 65

Received: 30 Apr 2012
Accepted: 19 Sep 2012
Published online: 31 Mar 2014 *

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Title: Performance analysis of louvered fin tube automotive radiator using nanofluids as coolants

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