Numerical Study of Entropy Generation in a Flowing Nanofluid Used in Micro- and Minichannels

Entropy

Mohammadreza Hassan²  Rad Sadri²  Goodarz Ahmadi¹  Mahidzal B. Dahari³  Salim N. Kazi²  Mohammad R. Safaei² 

[1] Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA; E-Mail:;Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; E-Mails:;Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture, Faculty of Engineering Building, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; E-Mail:

关键词: nanofluid;    entropy generation;    microchannel;    laminar flow;    minichannel;   

DOI  :  10.3390/e15010144

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

This article mainly concerns theoretical research on entropy generation influences due to heat transfer and flow in nanofluid suspensions. A conventional nanofluid of alumina-water (Al₂O₃-H₂O) was considered as the fluid model. Due to the sensitivity of entropy to duct diameter, mini- and microchannels with diameters of 3 mm and 0.05 mm were considered, and a laminar flow regime was assumed. The conductivity and viscosity of two different nanofluid models were examined with the help of theoretical and experimentally determined parameter values. It was shown that order of the magnitude analysis can be used for estimating entropy generation characteristics of nanofluids in mini- and microchannels. It was found that using highly viscous alumina-water nanofluid under laminar flow regime in microchannels was not desirable. Thus, there is a need for the development of low viscosity alumina-water (Al₂O₃-H₂O) nanofluids for use in microchannels under laminar flow condition. On the other hand, Al₂O₃-H₂O nanofluid was a superior coolant under laminar flow regime in minichannels. The presented results also indicate that flow friction and thermal irreversibility are, respectively, more significant at lower and higher tube diameters.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.