Abstract
This paper presents a critical review of heat transfer applications of nanofluids. The effects of nanoparticle concentration, size, shape, and nanofluid flow rate on Nusselt number, heat transfer coefficient, thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, friction factor and pressure drop from numerous studies reported recently are presented. Effects of various geometric parameters on heat transfer enhancement of system using nanofluids have also been reviewed. Heat transfer devices covered in this paper include radiators, circular tube heat exchangers, plate heat exchangers, shell and tube heat exchangers and heat sinks. Various correlations used for experimental validation or developed in reviewed studies are also compiled, compared and analyzed. The pros and cons associated to the applications of nanofluids in heat transfer devices are presented in details to determine the future direction of research in this arena.