Experimental study on the heat transfer of MWCNT/water nanofluid flowing in a car radiator

This study is concerned with an experimental evaluation of the thermal performance of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) dispersed in distilled water flowing inside an automotive radiator. A two-step method called high-pressure homogenization was used to disperse the MWCNT nanoparticles in water, in concentrations varying between 0.05 and 0.16 wt%. Experiments have been carried out in an experimental set up composed by a wind tunnel that simulates the air flow through a car radiator, and a hot fluid circuit, that circulates the nanofluid inside the radiator. The air flow rate was maintained constant at 0.175 kg/s. The mass flow rate of the hot fluid varied from 30 up to 70 g/s and the inlet temperature was maintained constant at 50, 60, 70 and 80 °C, respectively. The temperature drop and heat transfer rate have been investigated. A slight-decrease on the heat transfer rate, up to 5%, was found for all test conditions. On the other hand as the nanoparticle concentration increased, the heat transfer rate decreased.