Abstract
In this paper, nanofluids were prepared by dispersing ferromagnetic particles (Fe3O4) in the base fluids such as 20:80% and 40:60% of propylene glycol and water mixture (by weight). Thermal conductivity and viscosity was measured experimentally as a function of
particle concentrations and temperatures. Results indicate that thermal conductivity of nanofluids increases with increase of particle concentrations and temperatures. Viscosity of nanofluids increases with increase of particle concentrations, but decreases with increase of temperatures. Thermal
conductivity enhancement of 20.53% and viscosity enhancement of 1.23-times was obtained at 0.5% volume concentration in 20:80% PG/W based nanofluid at a temperature of 60 °C. At same particle concentrations, temperatures and base fluid, viscosity enhancement is more compared to thermal
conductivity enhancement. Based on the experimental data, correlations were proposed to predict thermal conductivity and viscosity of nanofluids. A systematic analysis was performed in order to use the nanofluids as a heat transfer fluids. It is noticed that nanofluids prepared by considering
20:80% and 40:60% PG/W are beneficial heat transfer fluids than its base fluid.