Heat transfer performance and hydrodynamic behavior of turbulent nanofluid radial flows

This paper presents a numerical investigation of heat transfer and hydrodynamic behavior of various types of water-based nanofluids inside a typical radial flow cooling device. Turbulent radial nanofluid flow between two parallel disks with axial injection is considered. Several turbulence models were evaluated. The RANS-based κ − ω SST turbulence model was chosen for subsequent simulations. A single phase fluid approach was used throughout with temperature dependant nanofluid effective properties. Results show that although heat transfer enhancement is found for all types of nanofluids considered, energy-based performance comparisons indicate that they do not necessarily represent the most efficient coolants for this type of application and flow conditions. ► Turbulent nanofluid radial flow investigation. ► k-omega turbulence model good choice for this application. ► Heat transfer increases with particle volume fraction and Reynolds number. ► Performance evaluation criterion and pumping power analysis. ► Overall nanofluid performance not beneficial in the considered conditions.