Thermal conductivity and viscosity measurements of ethylene glycol-based Al2O3 nanofluids

• Published in: Nanoscale research letters Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 221
• Main Authors: Pastoriza-Gallego, María José, Lugo, Luis, Legido, José Luis, Piñeiro, Manuel M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer New York 15-03-2011; BioMed Central Ltd; Springer; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Chemistry and Materials Science; Materials Science; Molecular Medicine; Nano Review; Nanochemistry; Nanofluids; Nanoscale Science and Technology; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Base Fluid; Thermal Conductivity Enhancement; Thermal Conductivity; Al2O3 Nanoparticles; Particle Volume Fraction
• ISSN: 1556-276X; 1931-7573; 1556-276X
• DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-6-221

The dispersion and stability of nanofluids obtained by dispersing Al
2
O
3
nanoparticles in ethylene glycol have been analyzed at several concentrations up to 25% in mass fraction. The thermal conductivity and viscosity were experimentally determined at temperatures ranging from 283.15 K to 323.15 K using an apparatus based on the hot-wire method and a rotational viscometer, respectively. It has been found that both thermal conductivity and viscosity increase with the concentration of nanoparticles, whereas when the temperature increases the viscosity diminishes and the thermal conductivity rises. Measured enhancements on thermal conductivity (up to 19%) compare well with literature values when available. New viscosity experimental data yield values more than twice larger than the base fluid. The influence of particle size on viscosity has been also studied, finding large differences that must be taken into account for any practical application. These experimental results were compared with some theoretical models, as those of Maxwell-Hamilton and Crosser for thermal conductivity and Krieger and Dougherty for viscosity.