The Influence of Thermophysical Properties on The Heat and Flow Characteristics of a NanoLubricant Based on Aluminum Oxide
Date
2024-12-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology
Abstract
The potential of nano-lubricants to improve heat transfer and flow characteristics in a variety of engineering applications has motivated a significant amount of interest in the study of their thermophysical properties in recent years. This paper examined the influence of thermophysical properties, including thermal conductivity, viscosity, density, and specific heat capacity, on the heat and flow behavior of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃)-based nanolubricants that are flowing through a cylindrical channel. The governing equations for momentum and energy were converted to non-dimensional form and solved using a finite difference scheme that was implemented in C++. The analysis examined the impact of thermal conductivity (0.3<κ<1.5), viscosity (0.001<μ<0.3), density (998< ρ <3592), heat capacity (1100 < Cp < 4200), and the Eckert number (1.0<Ec <40.0) on the heat and flow characteristics of the Alumina Nanolubricant while maintaining Reynolds number of 100. The findings revealed that the modified nanofluid exhibits improved thermal conductivity as a result of the integration of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles into a base lubricant. This results in improved heat dissipation and temperature distribution along the channel walls. The flow dynamics are also influenced by the altered viscosity of the Nanolubricant, which affects the coefficient of drag friction, stream function, and circulation. The results demonstrated that the heat transfer effectiveness is significantly improved by the inclusion of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles, while the flow characteristics are simultaneously altered. Consequently, the Al₂O₃-based Nanolubricant is an attractive option for use in thermal management systems, heat exchangers, and automotive systems