Comparative Study on Heat Transfer Enhancement of Low Volume Concentration of Al₂o₃–Water and Carbon Nano-Tube–Water Nano-Fluids in Transition Regime Using Helical Screw Tape Inserts

Abstract

This study reports the comparison of heat transfer and friction factor characteristics of helical screw inserts in Al₂O₃–water and carbon nano-tube–water nano-fluids through a straight pipe in transition regime with constant heat flux boundary condition. Experiments were carried out by using 0.15% volume concentration of Al₂O₃–water and carbon nano-tube–water nano-fluid with helical tape inserts of twist ratio, TR = 1.5, 2.5, and 3. The thermal performance of helical screw tape inserts with the carbon nano-tube–water nano-fluid is found -to be higher when compared to the Al₂O₃–water nano-fluid. In addition, the maximum enhancement in heat transfer was obtained for the carbon nano-tube–water nano-fluid with helical tape inserts of twist ratio 1.5. The increase in pressure drop of the Al₂O₃–water nano-fluid with helical screw tape inserts is found to be higher compared to the carbon nano-tube–water nano-fluid helical screw tape inserts at lower value of twist ratio.

Keywords::

• aluminium oxide nano-fluid
• carbon nano-tube nano-fluid
• transition regime
• helical screw tape inserts
• Nusselt number
• friction factor