Experimental Investigation to Elucidate the Temporal Effect of Nanofluids on the Thermal Performance of Heat Pipes

Abstract

The perplexity associated with the relevant practical application of the nanofluid lies with the alteration of the surface morphology. In the context of a heat pipe, it is established that the nanofluids, when used for a longer duration, are prone to agglomerate, and using them as working fluid can influence the heat pipe’s performance. The current work aims to examine the heat pipe performance deviation charged with Al₂O₃/de-ionized water nanofluid for extended operation periods of 0, 3, 6 and 12 months. The fabricated heat pipes charged with 40% of evaporator volume with various concentrations of Al₂O₃ base nanofluid (0.1%, 0.5%, and 0.8% volume fraction) were tested for various heat inputs (10, 30, and 60 W). The temporal effect of nanofluid on heat pipe performance was analyzed after successive intervals. The results propose that the heat pipe charged with nanofluid exhibits superior thermal performance in lieu of de-ionized water. Also, the performance characteristics of the heat pipe were more consistent and reliable for higher heat input of 60 W compared to 10 W when tested after a longer duration. The nanoparticles’ sedimentation and accumulation on the mesh clog adversely affect the contact angle and thus help in increasing the boiling limit.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the DST (SERB), India (Grant No: CRG/2021/004953) under the core research grant scheme.

Notes on contributors

Dilip Singh Naruka

Dilip Singh Naruka is a Research Scholar in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad. He has obtained his postgraduate degree in Thermal Engineering from BIT Sindri. His research interests include heat pipe, heat transfer enhancement studies using nanofluids.

Ritesh Dwivedi

Ritesh Dwivedi is a Research Scholar in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad. He has obtained his postgraduate degree in Thermal Engineering from NIT Silchar. His research interests include heat transfer in microchannels, and nanofluids.

Pawan Kumar Singh

Pawan Kumar Singh is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad. He carried out his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. He has published several research papers in field of nanofluid and heat transfer. His research interest includes microfluidics, nanofluids, thermal management and heat pipe.