ABSTRACT

Heating and cooling are two important processes in thermal

engineering and play a vital role in industries such as power plants,
chemical process plants, manufacturing processes, automotives and
electronics. To dissipate heat at faster rate, different heat transfer
enhancement methods have been suggested in literature. Active and
passive heat transfer techniques are commonly employed for heat
transfer augmentation in fluids. Conventional heat transfer fluids like
water, oil, and glycols have poor heat transport capabilities and they
hardly meet the present day requirements of high heat dissipation rates
in compact heat exchangers. Design of Compact heat exchanger and
miniaturizing of high energy devices are possible only with the fluids
having better heat transfer performance. The nanofluids are considered
to be new generation fluids characterized by better heat transfer
capabilities over traditional heat transfer fluids. The nanofluid is an
emerging area of research and has lot of potential in heat transfer
applications
A nanofluid is a two phase fluid of solid-liquid mixture and heat
transfer performance of nanofluids are expected to be significantly higher
than the conventional single phase fluids. The common problems like
channel clogging, tube abrasion and sedimentation formation which are
very often associated with suspensions of micro particles are minimized XIX
to a great extent with use of nanoparticles in the base fluids. Heat
transfer coefficient and friction factor are two important parameters to be
studied before judging the suitability of any fluids for transport of heat
energy in heat exchangers.
The aim of the present experimental investigation is to study the
heat transfer and friction factor characteristics of an water based CuO
nanofluids flowing in a tube, under constant
heat flux boundary conditions in laminar and transition flow regimes.
The use of inserts with nanofluids to further compound the heat transfer
enhancement is a new technique. In the present work experiments are
also conducted to study the effects of twisted tape and helical inserts on
the convection heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of CuO
nanofluids. The parameters like Reynolds number, heat transfer coefficient
friction factor of nanofluids in the present work. Based on the
experimental data regression equations are developed to
friction factor with and without inserts for the CuO
nanofluids tested in laminar and transition flow regimes in the present
investigation. The thesis has been divided into six chapters.XX
CHAPTER 1 (Introduction)
General introduction about nano materials, their applications and
heat transfer enhancement techniques and importance of nanofluids for
heat transfer applications are discussed in this Chapter.
CHAPTER 2 (Literature survey)
Thorough review of literature is done and presented in this chapter.
Literature based on the classification of nanofluids properties, heat
transfer of single phase fluid, nanofluid heat transfer in laminar and
turbulent flow conditions are collected and discussed. Research papers
are also gathered on passive heat transfer techniques with inserts of
different configuration for heat transfer augmentation.
CHAPTER 3 (Nanofluid Preparation and Properties Estimation)
The procedure for preparation of CuO nanofluids using the waterpropylene
glycol as the base fluid is discussed in this chapter. Thermo
physical properties of the nanofluids like thermal conductivity, viscosity,
specific heat and density in the particle volume concentration from
0.025% to 1.2% are evaluated at different temperatures. The thermal
conductivity and viscosity properties of water-propylene glycol based
CuO nanofluids are estimated and the results are presented. The
experimental results obtained indicated that nanofluid temperature and
nanoparticle concentration in the base fluid have significant influence on
XXI
the thermal conductivity enhancement of CuO nanofluids. Thermal
conductivity data of CuO nanofluids obtained in the present investigation
are compared with the conductivity models. An exponential decrease in
the viscosity of copper oxide nanofluids is observed with an increase in
the nanofluid temperature. The CuO nanofluids with increased particle
concentrations have shown a small increment in the CuO nanofluid
viscosity. The Copper oxide nanofluids in the present work have shown
Newtonian behavior at low volume concentration. The experimental
results obtained are compared with correlations and discussed in this
Chapter.
CHAPTER 4 (CuO Nanofluid Heat Transfer)
The experiments are conducted first with the distilled water and
the reliability of the present experimental set up is verified by comparing
the Nusselt number and friction results of water with standard
equations. Then the experiments are conducted for Propylene glycol
based CuO nanofluids flowing in a plain circular tube with constant heat
flux as the boundary conditions in the Reynolds numbers ranging from
1000 to10000 and the results are presented. Copper oxide nanofluids
have shown higher Nusselt number with increase in the Nanoparticle
concentration at any given Reynolds number compared to the base fluid.
The experimental Nusselt numbers are compared with the regression
Nusselt numbers.XXII
For the experimental data, a regression equation is obtained to
predict the Nusselt number of water-propylene glycol based CuO
nanofluids flowing in a plain tube and is given by Eq.(1).

0.59106 0.4 0.2307 NuReg 0.1168Re Pr 1 (1) _ `
The above equation is valid in the range of
1000 Re 10000, 0 0.5% and 6.5 Pr 18.97 `
The friction factor intensity is more at low Reynolds number and
decreases gradually with increase in flow speed, with no significant
increase in the nanofluid friction factor.
Based on the data obtained in the experiments, generalized
regression equations for friction factor are developed in terms of particle
volume concentration and Reynolds number for both laminar and
transition flow and are given by Eq. (2) and Eq. (3) respectively.

0.8456 0.1720 fReg 24.08Re _
1 (2) `

0.2279 0.2129 fReg 0.2753Re _
1 (3) `
The equation (2) is valid for laminar flow in the range of 1000 Re
2500 ,
11.56 < Pr <17.53, and0 0.5 . `
The equation (3) is valid for Transition flow, 2500< Re<10000,
13.56 < Pr < 18.45, and 0 0.5 . The parity graph between the `
experimental friction factor and the regression fraction factor for laminar
flow is drawn.
CHAPTER 5 (Nanofluid Heat Transfer with Inserts)XXIII
Nanofluid heat transfer and friction factor with twisted tape inserts
Experiments are also carried out to study heat transfer
enhancement in CuO nanofluids using twisted tape inserts and helical
inserts of different twist ratios. The Nusselt number is found to increase
with decrease in the pitch length of twisted tapes at any particular
Reynolds number. The friction factor increases with decrease in the twist
ratio. The Nusselt number increases with decrease in the H/D ratio of
twisted tape inserts. The results obtained for both the base fluid and
CuO nanofluids with and without twisted tape inserts is correlated to
predict the Nusselt number and is given by the following equation (Eq.4).

0.05351
0.5855 0.4 0.3772
Re 0.1251Re Pr 1 1

"

_
D
H
Nu g (4) `
The above equation is valid in the range of 1000 < Re< 10000,
0 < < 0.5%, 11.56 < Pr < 19.52, 0 < H/D < 15
The regression Nusselt number given by Eq. (4) is shown in comparison
with experimental Nusselt number. Two correlation equations for friction
factor for the base fluid and CuO nanofluids in a plain tube with and
without twisted tape inserts are developed both for laminar and
transition flow conditions and are given by Eq.(5) and Eq.(6) respectively.

0.004051
0.8436 0.4336
Re 23.01Re 1 1

"

D
H
f
g (5) `

0.01251
0.1946 0.2507
Re 0.2086Re 1 1

"

D
H
f
g (6)XXIV `
The equation (5) is valid for the values in the range of,1000 Re 2500 ,
11.56 <Pr < 17.38,0 0.5 , and 0 H D 15 `
The transition equation (6) is valid for the values in the range
of, 2500 Re 10000, 13.56 <Pr < 19.52, 0 0.5 , and 0 H D `
15 ( 0 `_
for the base fluid, H D 0 for the plain tube). The experimental friction _
factor and regression friction factor are compared.
Nanofluid Heat transfer and friction factor with helical inserts
Experiments are then conducted and the experimental Nusselt
number for base fluid as well as CuO nanofluids flowing in a circular
tube with helical inserts at different Reynolds number are estimated. It is
observed that Nusselt number increases with increase of Reynolds
number and also with percentage increase of CuO nanoparticle volume
concentration. The pitch length of helical inserts also affects the heat
transfer coefficient and high heat transfer is observed with helical inserts
of shorter pitch length. Based on the experimental data,a generalized
regression equation is developed to predict Nusselt number and is given
by Eq. (7)

1.862 0.3280
0.5291 0.4 0.4965
Reg 0.1861Re Pr 1 1

"

"

De
D
d
H
Nu
(7)
Where D/De is the ratio of tube internal diameter to the effective
or hydraulic diameter. The above regression equation is valid for, the XXV
values in the range of 1000<Re<10000, 11.56 Pr 19.98, 0 `
0.5%, and
0 < H De < 9. ( 0, For the base fluid and H De 0 for the plain tube). _ _
The experimental friction factor of CuO nanofluids is found to give
slightly a higher value compared to the friction factor obtained with the
base fluid. Friction factor also increases with increase in the nanoparticle
concentration in the base fluid. The friction factor is increasing with
decrease in pitch length. This is because the fluid has to move over a
longer path when the ratio of H/De = 3 when compared to the ratio of
H/De = 9. As the flow rate progresses, the magnitude of friction factor
goes on reduces with increase in the Reynolds numbers.
The correlations are developed for prediction of laminar friction
factor , given by Eq. (8) and transition friction factor, given by Eq. (9)

0.2630 0.6360
0.71606 03668
R e 8.955Re 1 1

"

"

e e
g D
D
D
H
f (8) `

0.08944 0.3030
0.1785 0.2330
R e 0.1772Re 1 1

"

"

e
g D
D
d
H
f (9) `
The correlation equation (8) is valid for the values in the range
of1000 Re 2500, 10.98 Pr 17.96,0 0.5%, and 0 H De `
9
The equation (9) is valid for the values in the range of
2500 Re 10000,10.9 Pr 19.98, 0 0.5%, 0 H d 9 . `
The values of
friction factor estimated with Eq. (9) are found to be linearly proportional
with values of experimental friction factor in transition regimes.
CHAPTER 6 (conclusions)XXVI
Experimental investigation is carried out to study the heat transfer
and friction factor characteristics of an anti-freeze water-propylene based
CuO nanofluids in a plain tube with twisted tape and helical inserts. The
conclusions and scope for future work are presented in this chapter. XXVII
List of publications pertaining from the present work
Papers published
1. M.T. Naik.,G. Ranga Janardhana., Temperature dependent thermal
conductivity enhancement of copper oxide nanoparticles dispersed in
propylene glycol-water base fluid International journal of
Nanoparticles, Vol. 3, No. 2, 2010,Inderscience Enterprises Ltd..
2. M. T. Naik, G. Ranga Janardhana, K. Vijaya Kumar Reddy
Experimental investigation into rheological property of copper oxide
nanoparticles suspended in propylene glycol-water based fluids ARPN
Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences VOL. 5, No. 6, June,
2010.
Publications Under review
1. M.T.Naik, D.N.Reddy, G Ranga Janardana,Heat transfer and friction
factor experimental investigation of CuO nanoparticles
inwater/propylene glycol base fluid flowing in a circular tube with
twisted tape inserts A S M E Journal of heat transfer
2. M.T. Naik., G. Ranga Janardana,,L. Syam Sundar., Experimental
heat transfer and friction factor characteristics of propylene glycol XXVIII
based CuO nanofluid in circular tube with helical inserts under laminar
flow journal of Experimental Heat, Taylor and Fransis
3. M.T. Naik., G. Ranga Janardana,,T Kishen Kumar Reddy., Transition
flow heat transfer and friction factor with water/propylene glycol CuO
nanofluid in circular tube with helical insert International journal of
Heat transfer Engineering, Taylor and Fransis
4. M.T.Naik., Investigation of Thermophysical properties of propylene
glycole based CuO Nanofluids for Heat transfer Applications, Int. J.
Nanotechnology, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.