Role of 1-Butanol on Critical Heat Flux Enhancement of TiO_2, Al_2O_3 and CuO Nanofluids

摘要

In this study, experiments were performed to understand the critical heat flux (CHF) enhancement using nanofluids, with special emphasis on pool boiling. The pool boiling experiment was carried out at atmospheric pressure using 0.111 mm. Nichrome wire submerged in each suspension of TiO_2, Al_2O_3 and CuO nanoparticles in water. Critical heat flux was measurement for three different concentrations (0.01 gm/lt, 0.1 gm/lt and 1 gm/lt) of nanoparticles in water. Significant enhancement in CHF was recorded with each of the nano solutions as compared to the pure water. With increasing the concentration of the nanoparticles the CHF was found to increase as compared to deionised water. Further to study the effect of adding surfactant, 0.5 gm 1-butanol was used as surfactant in 0.1 gm/lt concentration of each nanoparticle. The results were compared to the case with no added surfactant. It was concluded that adding small amount of surfactant enhances the CHF of the tested nanoparticle suspensions in water. The results can be explained on the basis of reduction in the solution's surface tension due to addition of 1-butanol.