Computational investigation of heat transfer of nanofluids in domestic water heat exchanger

Abstract

Recent development of nanotechnology led to the concept of using suspended nanoparticles in the heat transfer fluids to improve the heat transfer properties of the base fluids. The heat transfer enhancement by nanofluids is the significant concerns in the efficiency of domestic water heat exchanger system. A computational investigation of the heat transfer in a domestic water heat exchanger is conducted on the water and water-based nanofluids. Copper (Cu) nanoparticle and Alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticle are selected in the water-based nanofluids. Volume fraction of nanoparticle in the nanofluids is set at 0.5 %, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 2.0 %, 2.5 %, 3.0 %. Heat exchanger has been invented for the heat transfer from one medium to another medium in many heat transfer systems. Domestic water heat exchanger can be used in a heat pump domestic water heating system. The density, the thermal conductivity, and the dynamic viscosity of the water base fluid are increased while the specific heat capacity of the water base fluid is reduced with the addition of copper as well as alumina nanoparticle. Addition of copper nanoparticle into the water-based heat transfer fluid significantly increases the domestic hot water temperature. The efficiency of domestic water heat exchanger system is optimum when 1.5 % copper or alumina nanoparticle is added into the water-based heat transfer fluid.