O. S. Prajapati

Thermal Conductivity of Nanofluids: Experimental Investigation of Thermal Conductivity Enhancement with Nanofluids O. S. Prajapati

This experimental work was done to measure the thermal conductivity of nanofluids (TiO2-water, ZnO-water and Al2O3-water). The thermal conductivity is measured experimentally, compared with the theoretical models for each nanofluid at each particle volume fraction. The unmatched hike is obtained in the thermal conductivity through nanofluid. To perform the experiment the nanofluid is prepared at different volume fractions of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1% of TiO2, ZnO and Al2O3 nanoparticles with base fluid water. The nano particles are mixed with water in ultrasonic vibration mixer (UVM) machine. The mixing of nano particles is done through ultrasonication. The measurements are taken at room temperature with the help of Thermal property analyzer KD2 Pro device which is most accurate device to measure the thermal properties of the liquids as well solids. The results of this experimental work shows that thermal conductivity increases 22% for TiO2 nanofluid, 17% for ZnO nanofluid and 24% for Al2O3 nanofluid with base fluid water for 1% volume fraction of nanofluid.