Digital Study of the Thermal Performance of a Microchannel, Cooled with a Cu-Water Nanofluid

Abstract

Geometry on the thermal performance of the microchannelare studied. It was observed that the increase in heat transfer is possible using the nanofluid compared to the base fluid. The heat transfer rate increases with the increase of the inlet velocity as well as the increase of the solid volume A numerical study of the thermal performance of a micro channel, cooled with pure water or with a Cu-water nano fluid was presented. The micro channel is partially maintained at a constant temperature. The continuity, momentum and energy equations are solved using a FLUENT code based on the finite volume method. The SIMPLE algorithm is used to bypass the velocity/pressure coupling. The thermal conductivity of the nanofluid is determined by the model of Patel et al [1]. The effects of relevant parameters such as Reynolds number, inlet effects, solid volume fraction and problem fraction of the nano fluid.