Iranian chemical engineers from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad studied the performance of automobile radiators and realized that when nanofluids are used in the radiators, significant increase is observed in the amount of heat transfer in those systems.
Results of the research showed that nanofluids are good replacements for cooling fluid in radiators and thermal exchangers.
Materials with higher thermal properties are required to increase the performance of radiator. The use of nanofluids is one of the methods to increase heat transfer in radiators. In this research, cooling of car radiator has been investigated by using nanofluids. Results of the research indicated that the used nanofluid can increase heat transfer up to 50%. Reduction in size and weight of the radiators are among the achievements of this research.
In addition to reducing the production cost, better designation of cars are possible when the radiator becomes smaller in size. On the other hand, better cooling has positive effects on fuel consumption and the amount of fuel consumption decreases.
Nanofluids are produced by stable dispersing of nanoparticles in heat transfer fluids that are usually water or ethylene glycol. In this research, a system similar to car radiator cooling system has been designed and produced. Nanofluid (60 to 40 mixture of water to ethylene glycol) was used instead of radiator cooling fluid. Titanium oxide (TiO2) and copper oxide (CuO) were used as nanoparticles in this research.
Based on the results, more increase in heat transfer occurs when copper oxide nanoparticles are used in comparison with titania nanoparticles.
Results of the research have been published in Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, vol. 35, issue 5, May 2014, pp. 677-682.