Pool boiling heat transfer to dilute copper oxide aqueous nano-fluids

A set of experiments have been performed to quantify the pool boiling heat transfer coefficient of dilute copper oxide water-based nano-fluids at mass concentrations of 0.1-0.4%. To stabilize the two-step nano-fluids, pH control, stirring and sonication were utilized. For investigating the influence of surfactant as a surface active agent additive on the pool boiling heat transfer coefficient of nano-fluids, SDS, SDBS and Triton X-100 were used. Influence of some operating parameters such as applied heat flux, mass concentration of nano-fluids and other parameters such as roughness of surface, boiling contact angle and deposition on the pool boiling heat transfer coefficient of nano-fluids were experimentally investigated. Results demonstrated a significant deterioration of heat transfer coefficient of nano-fluids comparing with the base fluid in the absence of surfactants, however, in the presence of surfactant, higher pool boiling heat transfer coefficient was reported. According to results, roughness of surface is strongly controlled by nano-fluid concentration due to deposition of nano-fluids on the heating section. Rectilinear changes of deposition with time in term of fouling resistance were seen at both regions with natural convection and nucleate boiling dominant heat transfer mechanisms. (authors)