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Numerical Heat Transfer, Part A: Applications
An International Journal of Computation and Methodology
Volume 72, 2017 - Issue 12
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Original Articles

Numerical investigation on supercritical turbulent heat transfer of copper/n-decane nanofluid inside a miniature tube

, ORCID Icon, &
Pages 921-935 | Received 15 Jul 2017, Accepted 17 Nov 2017, Published online: 20 Dec 2017
 

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the potential benefits of kerosene-based nanofluids as coolants for regenerative cooling system, a detailed numerical study of the turbulent heat transfer of copper/n-decane nanofluid flowing inside a miniature cooling tube at supercritical pressures has been conducted. Numerical results reveal that copper nanoparticles can significantly improve heat transfer performance in the entire cooling tube. This can be explained by the fundamental mechanism that within the near-wall turbulent flow region, the reduction of nanofluid kinematic viscosity leads to increased turbulent thermal conductivity and consequently causes heat transfer enhancement. Moreover, heat transfer deterioration phenomenon is delayed or weakened by nanoparticles, and the overall heat transfer performance of the base fluid has been improved. Results indicate potential advantages of kerosene nanofluids as coolants for regenerative engine cooling applications.

Nomenclature

cp=

constant-pressure heat capacity (J/kgK)

D=

diameter of the cooling tube (mm)

et=

total energy (J/kg)

f=

friction factor

G=

turbulent generation term

hc=

convective heat transfer coefficient (W/m2K)

k=

turbulent kinetic energy (J/kg)

Nu=

Nusselt number

p=

pressure (Pa)

qw=

wall heat flux (W/m2)

r=

radial coordinate (mm)

Re=

Reynolds number

T=

temperature (K)

u=

velocity (m/s)

x=

axial coordinate along the flow direction (mm)

Y=

mass fraction

Greek symbols=
ρ=

density (kg/m3)

τ=

viscous stress (N/m2)

λ=

thermal conductivity (W/mK)

ϕ=

volume fraction of nanoparticles

μ=

dynamic viscosity (kg/ms)

ν=

kinematic viscosity (m2/s)

σ=

turbulent Prandtl numbers

ε=

turbulent dissipation rate (m2/s3)

Subscripts=
b=

bulk parameter

bf=

base fluid

eff=

effective parameter

k=

turbulent kinetic energy

nf=

nanofluid

p=

particle

pc=

pseudo-critical value

t=

turbulence

T=

temperature

w=

wall

ε=

turbulent dissipation rate

0=

inlet

Nomenclature

cp=

constant-pressure heat capacity (J/kgK)

D=

diameter of the cooling tube (mm)

et=

total energy (J/kg)

f=

friction factor

G=

turbulent generation term

hc=

convective heat transfer coefficient (W/m2K)

k=

turbulent kinetic energy (J/kg)

Nu=

Nusselt number

p=

pressure (Pa)

qw=

wall heat flux (W/m2)

r=

radial coordinate (mm)

Re=

Reynolds number

T=

temperature (K)

u=

velocity (m/s)

x=

axial coordinate along the flow direction (mm)

Y=

mass fraction

Greek symbols=
ρ=

density (kg/m3)

τ=

viscous stress (N/m2)

λ=

thermal conductivity (W/mK)

ϕ=

volume fraction of nanoparticles

μ=

dynamic viscosity (kg/ms)

ν=

kinematic viscosity (m2/s)

σ=

turbulent Prandtl numbers

ε=

turbulent dissipation rate (m2/s3)

Subscripts=
b=

bulk parameter

bf=

base fluid

eff=

effective parameter

k=

turbulent kinetic energy

nf=

nanofluid

p=

particle

pc=

pseudo-critical value

t=

turbulence

T=

temperature

w=

wall

ε=

turbulent dissipation rate

0=

inlet

Additional information

Funding

This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11502047) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (DUT16LK23).

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