Evaluation Of Thermophysical Properties, Friction Factor And Heat Transfer Of Alumina Nanofluid Flow In Tubes

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University of North Dakota
UND Scholarly Commons
Theses and Dissertations
Theses, Dissertations, and Senior Projects
January 2012
Evaluation Of Thermophysical Properties, Friction
Factor And Heat Transfer Of Alumina Nanofluid
Flow In Tubes
Sanjib Tiwari
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https://commons.und.edu/theses
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Recommended Citation
Tiwari, Sanjib, "Evaluation Of Thermophysical Properties, Friction Factor And Heat Transfer Of Alumina Nanofluid Flow In Tubes"
(2012).
Theses and Dissertations
. 1382.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/1382

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EVALUATION OF THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, FRICTION FACTOR, AND 
HEAT TRANSFER OF ALUMINA NANOFLUID FLOW IN TUBES 
 
 
 
 
by 
 
 
 
 
Sanjib Tiwari 
Bachelor of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, 2009 
 
 
 
 
A Thesis 
 
Submitted to the Graduate Faculty 
 
of the 
 
University of North Dakota 
 
In partial fulfillment of the requirements 
 
 
 
for the degree of 
 
Master of Science 
 
 
 
Grand Forks, North Dakota 
December 
2012 
 
 

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Copyright 2012 Sanjib Tiwari 
 
 

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The Thesis, submitted by Sanjib Tiwari in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the 
Degree of Masters of Science from the University of North Dakota, has been read by the 
faculty advisory committee under whom the work has been done and is hereby approved. 
 
 
______________________ 
                                                                                     Dr. Clement Tang, Chairperson 
 
 
 
 
 
 
______________________ 
                                                                                           Dr. Forrest Ames 
 
______________________ 
                                                                                           Dr. Nanak Grewal 
 
 
This,  thesis  meets  the  standard  for  appearance,  conforms  the  style  and  format 
requirements  of  the  graduate  school  of  the  University  of  North  Dakota  and  is  hereby 
approved. 
 
_____________________ 
Dr. Wayne Swisher 
Dean of Graduate School 
 
____________________ 
Date 
 

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PERMISSION 
 
 
Title 
Evaluation of Thermophysical Properties, Friction Factor and Heat 
Transfer of Alumina Nanofluid Flow in Tubes 
 
Department 
Mechanical Engineering 
 
Degree 
Masters of Science 
 
 
 
In presenting this thesis  in  partial fulfillment  of the requirements for a  graduate degree 
from the University of North Dakota, I agree that the library of this University shall make 
it freely available for inspection. I further agree that permission for extensive copying for 
scholarly purposes may be granted by the professor who supervised my thesis work or, in 
his absence, by the chairperson of the department or the dean of the Graduate School. It is 
understood that any copying or publication or other use of this thesis or part thereof for 
financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. It is also understood 
that due recognition shall be given to me and to the University of North Dakota in any 
scholarly use which may be made of any material in my thesis. 
 
 
 
 
 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 
LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... vii
 
LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... xiv
 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................. xv
 
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... xvii
 
NOMENCLATURE ........................................................................................................ xix
 
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1
 
1.1 Research Objectives .............................................................................................. 9
 
1.2 Outline of the Study ............................................................................................. 11
 
LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................. 12
 
2.1 Thermal Conductivity of Nanofluids ................................................................... 12
 
2.2 Viscosity of Nanofluids ....................................................................................... 25
 
2.3 Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop of Nanofluids ................................................. 31
 
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND METHODOLOGY ..................................................... 42
 
3.1 Temperature Control System ............................................................................... 43
 
3.2 Viscosity Measurement ....................................................................................... 44
 
3.3 Thermal Conductivity Measurements ................................................................. 47
 
3.4 Experimental Loop .............................................................................................. 50
 
3.5 Instrument Calibration ......................................................................................... 61
 
3.6 Experimental Procedure ...................................................................................... 68
 
3.7 Experimental Uncertainties ................................................................................. 70
 

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ....................................................................................... 77
 
4.1 Results for Experimental Setup Validation Using Water .................................... 77
 
4.2. Thermal Conductivity Results of Nanofluid ...................................................... 91
 
4.3 Viscosity Results of Nanofluid ............................................................................ 96
 
4.4 Friction Factor Results of Nanofluid ................................................................. 104
 
4.5 Heat Transfer Results of Nanofluid ................................................................... 107
 
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................... 112
 
5.1 Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 112
 
5.2 Recommendations ............................................................................................. 114
 
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 116
 
 
 
 

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LIST OF FIGURES 
 
Figure 
Description 
Page 
Figure 1.1 
Comparison of size of nanoparticle with other substance 
2 
Figure 1.2 
Velocity gradient formed between two parallel plates 
4 
Figure 2.1 
Thermal conductivity of water and alumina nanofluid with 
water as the base fluid 
15 
Figure 2.2 
Linear increment in nanofluid thermal conductivity with