Investigating the Impact of Flow Profile on Heat Transfer in Nanofluid Flow: A Numerical Study

Abstract

Assessing the profitability of an energy system requires careful consideration of various factors, including fluid characteristics, geometry shape, and operating conditions. This study investigates the influence of sinusoidal rib shapes, with different space ratios (e/b) ranging from 0 to 1, on heat transfer in nanofluid flow. The channel's upper surface is subjected to a uniform heat flux, employing Al2O3 nanofluid as the working fluid and varying Reynolds numbers from 5000 to 20000. Additionally, the effect of aluminum nanoparticle volume fraction, ranging from 0 to 6%, is analyzed. Simulation results indicate that the performance of the corrugated surface in the channel is significantly influenced by rib shapes and their geometrical parameters. The highest Performance Evaluation Criteria (PEC) index is achieved for ribs with a space ratio (e/b) of 0 at Reynolds number of 5000 and a volume fraction of 6% nanoparticles. Furthermore, the average Nusselt number shows an increasing trend with higher particle volume fraction and Reynolds numbers.