A comparative study of nanofluids exchanging heat with a thermal energy reservoir

For their enhanced thermal conductivity and heat transfer characteristics, considerable attention has been recently given to nanofluids, although a literature survey would show that much more attention has been given to the first parameter. However, one of the main applications of nanofluids as heat transfer fluids would be in heat exchangers, where the other thermal resistances, as well as the increased viscosity, would tend to reduce the nanofluid-induced heat transfer enhancement. A more realistic approach is here attempted, where a general model for the process of heat exchange between a nanofluid and a thermal energy reservoir is presented. A comparative analysis of the heat transfer rate and pumping power is carried out between a nanofluid and its pure base fluid. To this end, non dimensional gain factors were defined, thus providing a more realistic and general view of the potential of nanofluids when applied in heat exchangers.