Simulation study of Al2O3-H2O nanofluids as radiator coolant using computational fluid dynamics method

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of nanofluid concentration on the heat transfer rate of radiator pipes. This study used computational fluid dynamics simulation method of ANSYS Fluid Flow Fluent software. The working fluid used in this study was nanofluid prepared of Al2O3 and H2O mixture. Simulation was performed at various Al2O3 nanoparticles concentration ranging from 0 to 1%. The velocity and inlet temperature of nanofluid were set at 0.4 m/s and 130°C, respectively. The results of the simulation showed that the heat transfer rate and outlet temperature of nanofluid were influenced by the nanoparticles concentration. The rate of heat transfer increased with the increased of nanoparticles concentration. Among the tested concentration, 1% Al2O3 provided better heat transfer activity in which it is capable to reduce the high inlet fluid temperature to become about 80°C, very close to the recommended working conditions.