Characterization of Nanofluids Using Experimental and Analytical Methods for Different Concentrations

Abstract

A fluid containing nanometer-sized nanoparticles is called nanofluid. These fluids are engineered colloidal suspensions of nanoparticles in a base fluid. Nanofluids are a new class of fluids engineered by dispersing nanometer-sized materials (nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanotubes, nanorods, nanosheet, or droplets) in base fluids. They are two-phase systems with one phase (solid phase) in another (liquid phase). For a two-phase system, there are some important issues we have to face. One of the most important issues is the stability of nanofluids and it remains a big challenge to achieve desired stability of nanofluids. This work aims to evaluate the progress in the methods for preparing stable nanofluids and summarizes the stability mechanisms. Al₂O₃ and CuO nanofluids were prepared for different concentrations of 1%, 3% and 5% and different temperatures with distilled water as a base fluid and its stability was observed for different time intervals. It is observed that both the nanofluids remain stable for considerable amount of time, which could be required for the experimentation. Also the experimental and analytical values of nanofluid viscosity, density and thermal conductivity were validated graphically.

Keywords: Nanofluid viscosity, density, thermal conductivity, suspension

Cite this Article

Suhas C. Kongre, Ramesh K. Rathod, Chavali Shriramshastri. Characterization of Nanofluids Using Experimental and Analytical Methods for Different Concentrations. Nano Trends: A Journal of Nanotechnology and Its Applications. 2017; 19(3): 23–31p.