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Influence factors on thermal conductivity of ammonia-water nanofluids

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Abstract

In order to investigate the mechanism of nanoparticles enhancing the heat and mass transfer of the ammonia-water absorption process, several types of binary nanofluids were prepared by mixing Al2O3 nanoparticles with polyacrylic acid (PAA), TiO2 with polyethylene glycol (PEG 1000), and TiN, SiC, hydroxyapatite (noodle-like) with PEG 10000 to ammonia-water solution, respectively. The thermal conductivities were measured by using a KD2 Pro thermal properties analyzer. The influences of surfactant and ammonia on the dispersion stabilities of the binary nanofluids were investigated by the light absorbency ratio index methods. The results show that the type, content and size of nanoparticles, the temperature as well as the dispersion stability are the key parameters that affect the thermal conductivity of nanofluids. For the given nanoparticle material and the base fluid, the thermal conductivity ratio of the nanofluid to the ammonia-water liquid increases as the nanoparticle content and the temperature are increased, and the diameter of nanoparticle is decreased. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity ratio increases significantly by improving the stabilities of nanofluids, which is achieved by adding surfactants or performing the proper ammonia content in the fluid.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China

    Liu Yang  (杨柳), Kai Du  (杜垲) & Xiao-song Zhang  (张小松)

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  1. Liu Yang  (杨柳)
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  2. Kai Du  (杜垲)
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  3. Xiao-song Zhang  (张小松)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kai Du  (杜垲).

Additional information

Foundation item: Projects(51176029, 50876020) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project(2011BAJ03B00) supported by the 12th Five-Year National Science and Technology Support Key Program of China; Project(ybjj1124) supported by the Foundation of Graduate School of Southeast University, China

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Yang, L., Du, K. & Zhang, Xs. Influence factors on thermal conductivity of ammonia-water nanofluids. J. Cent. South Univ. Technol. 19, 1622–1628 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-012-1185-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-012-1185-0

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