The Use of Nanofluids in Domestic Water Heat Exchanger

Abstract

Recent development of nanotechnology has led to the concept of using suspended nanoparticles in heat transfer fluids to improve the heat transfer properties of the base fluids. The heat transfer enhancement by nanofluids is the significant concern in the efficiency of domestic water heat exchanger system. A computational investigation of the heat transfer in a domestic water heat exchanger was conducted on the water and water-based nanofluids. Copper (Cu) nanoparticle and alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles were selected in the water-based nanofluids. Volume fraction of nanoparticle in the nanofluids was set at 0.5 %, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 2.0 %, 2.5 %, and 3.0 %. The density, thermal conductivity, and dynamic viscosity of the water-based fluid increased, while the specific heat capacity of the water-based fluid decreased with the addition of copper, as well as alumina nanoparticles. The addition of copper nanoparticle into the water-based heat transfer fluid increases the domestic hot water temperature significantly. The efficiency of domestic water heat exchanger system was optimum when 1.5 % copper or alumina nanoparticles was added into the water-based heat transfer fluid.