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CORRELATIONS TO PREDICT FRICTION AND FORCED CONVECTION HEAT

TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS OF WATER BASED NANOFLUIDS FOR TURBULENT
FLOW IN A TUBE

Article · January 2012

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IJMNTFTP (2012) ISSN: 1949-4955
Volume 3, Number 4 © 2012 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

CORRELATIONS TO PREDICT FRICTION AND FORCED

CONVECTION HEAT TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS
OF WATER BASED NANOFLUIDS FOR TURBULENT
FLOW IN A TUBE

K. V. Sharma, P. K. Sarma, W. H. Azmi,

Rizalman Mamat and K. Kadirgama
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang,
Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia

International Director, GITAM University, Rishikonda,
Visakhapatnam, India

ABSTRACT
In the present study, the properties of nanofluids from various sources available in
the literature are correlated with reasonable accuracy considering nanofluid as a
homogenous medium. These correlations are subsequently employed in the evaluation of
momentum and convective heat transfer coefficients for turbulent flow in a tube.
Regression techniques are used to establish correlations, to predict friction and heat
transfer coefficients for a wide range of nanofluids containing Cu, CuO, TiO2, SiC, ZrO2
and Al2O3 nanoparticles of different sizes, concentration and temperatures dispersed in
water. A theoretical model proposed, predicts nanofluid heat transfer coefficients in the
turbulent range closely. The reason for the deviation of experimental data with theory is
due to different values of properties employed.

Keywords: Nanofluids, Regression analysis, correlations-thermo-physical properties, heat

transfer coefficient

NOMENCLATURE
C specific heat, (J/kg K)
C1 constant in equation (5)
C2 constant in equation (6)


Corresponding author email: kvsharmajntu@gmail.com; Tel./Fax +6-09-4246231/+6-09-4246222
2 K. V. Sharma, P. K. Sarma, W. H. Azmi et al.

C 3 constant in equation (6)

dp diameter of nanoparticle, (nm)
d *p upper limit of nanoparticle diameter, (nm)
D tube diameter, (m)
 L  U 2 
f Darcy friction factor,  P  
 D 2 
fr friction coefficient ratio, ( f nf / f B )
fB Blasius friction factor, (0.3164 / Re0.25)
g gravitational force, (m/s2)
h heat transfer coefficient, (W/m2 K)
ID internal diameter, (m)
k thermal conductivity, (W/m K)
k r nanofluid to water thermal conductivity ratio, ( k nf / k w )
L length, (m)
n exponent in equation (11)
hD 
Nu Nusselt number,  
 k 
 C 
Pr Prandtl number,  
 k 
 ρUD 
Re Reynolds number,  
 μ 
T temperature, (oC)
T * upper limit of temperature , (oC)
nf
u average velocity

Greek symbols

 thermal diffusivity, (m2/s)

v laminar sublayer thickness, ( m)
 w 
 v dimensionless thickness of the laminar sublayer,  v 
  
 
 P pressure drop, (Pa)
H eddy diffusivity for heat, (m2/s)
 m eddy diffusivity for momentum, (m2/s)
 volume concentration, (%)
 absolute viscosity, (kg/m s)
 Correlations to Predict Friction and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Coefficients … 3

 r ratio of nanofluid to water viscosity, (  nf /  w )

 1 ratio of nanofluid temperature, T nf T nf* 
 2 ratio of nanoparticle diameter, d p d *p 
 3 ratio of nanoparticle to water thermal diffusivity,  p  w 
3
 density, (kg/m )
 kinematic viscosity, (m2/s)

Subscripts

b bulk
max maximum
min minimum
nf nanofluid
p particle
r ratio
v laminar sublayer
w water

1. INTRODUCTION
To achieve compactness and miniaturization of electronic equipment passive and active
methods of augmentation have been suggested in heat transfer literature [1, 2]. The initial
studies relevant to the augmentation of heat transfer are mostly related to use of micro sized
solid particles of various sizes in the base fluid. However, these techniques became
impracticable and obsolete due severe practical problems arising due to clogging, erosion of
pipe lines and high pumping power requirements, in spite of the fact that a certain degree of
heat transfer augmentation is achieved. Further, agglomeration and resettlement of particles
posed severe maintenance problem. In contrast, recent studies with the reduction of particle
size to nano level proved significantly more effective in achieving better heat transfer
augmentation without any substantial increase in pumping power requirement. Results from
several investigations have been coming to light from different sources and typical reviews of
such literature can be cited.
Experiments are mostly conducted for the determination of viscosity and thermal
conductivity of nanofluids. Choi [3] conducted experiments with Carbon Nano Tubes in
motor oil at 1.0% volume concentration. The thermal conductivity enhancement obtained is
160% higher than that of the base liquid. Various investigators [4-17] determined the
properties of nanofluids dispersed with Cu and metal oxides such as Al 2O3, TiO2, CuO, SiO2,
etc in different base fluids, concentrations and temperatures. Based on the investigations, it
can be stated that the pertinent parameters influencing nanofluid properties are concentration,
temperature, particle size, pH and the material properties. All the investigators observed
thermal conductivity and viscosity of nanofluid to increase with concentration. The thermal
conductivity of nanofluid increases while viscosity decreases with temperature.
4 K. V. Sharma, P. K. Sarma, W. H. Azmi et al.

Table 1. Experimental analyses undertaken by various investigators

Experimental ranges and nano particles

No Authors Results /&Remarks
dispersed in base liquid water
Observed 8% enhancement in heat transfer
coefficients at 0.3% volume concentration in
Al2O3 nanoparticle of size 30nm in the range the fully developed laminar range. The
Hwang et
1. flattening of the velocity profiles observed by
al. [30] of 200  Re  1400 and   0.3 %
them is attributed to large gradients observed
with properties responsible for enhanced heat
transfer coefficients.
Al2O3 and CuO nanoparticles of size 20nm They observed the values of heat transfer
Heris et and 50-60nm respectively in the range of
2. coefficients with Al2O3 nanofluid greater than
al. [32]
650  Re  2050 and   3.0 % CuO nanofluid at large volume fractions
Observed enhancements in heat transfer
3.
Eastman CuO nanoparticles for   1.0 conducted coefficient by more than 15% in comparison to
et al. [5] heat transfer analysis in the turbulent range water
Cu nanoparticles of size less than 100nm at They opined that the dispersion will flatten the
Xuan and different particle volume concentrations up to temperature distribution and make the
4.
Li [16] temperature gradient between the fluid and the
2.0%, 10000  Re  24000 wall steeper.
Fotukian CuO nanoparticles of size 30 -50nm range They observed 25% enhancement in heat
5.
and for   0.024 % transfer coefficients and 20% higher pressure
Esfahany drop compared to values obtained with base
[17] 6000  Re  31000 liquid water
Amorphous carbonic of 20nm and alumina A 20% increment in convective heat transfer
coefficient at 3.0% volume concentration is
nanoparticles of 20-50nm of   3.5 and
Kim et al. reported with alumina nanofluid. They
6.
[45]   3.0 % respectively in the range concluded that carbonic nanofluid did not
show promise as an enhanced heat transfer
800  Re  6500 fluid in the turbulent range
Al2O3 of sizes 36 and 47nm in the range of Higher heat transfer coefficients with 36nm
Nguyen et
7. size compared with 47nm size particles are
al. [46] 3000  Re  9000 and   6.8 % observed.
Al2O3 and ZrO2 nanoparticles of size 46 and
60nm for maximum volume concentration of They concluded that the existing correlations
Williams 3.6 and 0.9% respectively in the range of single phase flow can be used to predict the
8.
et al. [13] 9000  Re  63000 convective heat transfer coefficient and
pressure drop of the nanofluids
21  Tnf  76 oC
They conducted hydrodynamic and heat
Al2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles of size 13 and transfer experiments with nanofluids and
27nm for maximum volume concentration of obtained higher heat transfer coefficients
Pak and
9.
Cho [21]   2.78 and   3.16 % respectively which increased with concentration and
Reynolds number. Observed heat transfer
in the range 10 4  Re  10 5 coefficients to be 12% lower than that of water
for Al2O3 at 2.78% concentration
TiO2 nanoparticle of size 95nm volume They observed the influence of nanoparticle
10.
He et al. concentration   1.1 % in the range concentration on heat transfer coefficient to be
[35] significant in the turbulent than in laminar
700  Re  6500 region
The heat transfer coefficients of the nanofluid
Duangtho TiO2 nanofluid with particle size of 21nm in are found to increase with Reynolds number
11.
ngsuk and the range of 0.2    2.0 %, and volume concentration upto 1.0%. The
Wongwis heat transfer coefficient decreased with further
es [36] 3000  Re  18000 increase in volume concentration and greater
than the values of water
Observed 50-60 percent enhancement in heat
170 nm SiC nanoparticles   3.7 % in the transfer. They concluded from their
Yu et al. experimental analysis that SiC/water is a better
12.
[12] range3300  Re  13000 heat transfer liquid and requires lower
4.6  Pr  7.1 pumping power compared to Al2O3/water
nanofluid.
 Correlations to Predict Friction and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Coefficients … 5

The thermal conductivity increases rapidly for particles less than 50nm approximately
and decreases rather slowly thereafter. The viscosity increases with a decrease of particle size
due to larger surface area. Besides, the techniques employed for particle dispersion with
surfactant and the pH, affect the values of thermal conductivity and thermal stability of the
nanofluid. It is observed that fluids dispersed with high thermal conducting materials, predict
greater values of nanofluid thermal conductivity. The experimental values of thermal
conductivity obtained by these investigators deviated from the values predicted by the
theoretical models of Maxwell [18] and Hamilton and Crosser [19].
Experiments to determine heat transfer coefficients and pressure drop are undertaken for
water based nanofluids in a tube under turbulent flow conditions by various investigators.
Certain authors determined nanofluid properties while others used the values in the literature
to evaluate heat transfer coefficients. The authors observed the heat transfer coefficients to
increase with nanofluid concentration and influenced by particle size and operating
temperatures. Hence particle size can play an important role influencing the properties and
hence heat transfer coefficients. Salient results obtained by various investigators from
experiments are presented as Table 1.
The present objective is to develop generalized correlations for thermal conductivity and
absolute viscosity of water based metal and metal oxide nanofluids. A model is to be
developed for the estimation of heat transfer coefficients under turbulent flow. The values
from the model are to be validated with the nanofluid experimental data of various
investigators, employing the eddy diffusivity relations of Sarma et al. [20]. The property
relations will be used in the process of estimating the heat transfer coefficients.

2. EVALUATION OF THERMO-PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

OF NANOFLUIDS

2.1. Density,  nf

Applying the principle of mass conservation of the two species in a finite control volume
of the nano fluid, the nanofluid density  can be obtained from the relation
nf

     
 nf     p  1   (1)
 100   100  w

where  is the percent volumetric concentration of nano particles

2.2. Specific Heat, Cnf

The thermal conservation of energy of the two species in a finite control volume will
yield the overall specific heat Cnf of the nano fluid as
6 K. V. Sharma, P. K. Sarma, W. H. Azmi et al.

  
C  p  1    C  w
100  100 
C nf  (2)
 nf

2.3. Thermal Conductivity of Nanofluid, k nf

The thermal conductivity of nanofluids is determined experimentally by many [5-10].

The experiments are conducted mostly with spherical shape particles having diameters in the
range of 20 – 150nm, temperature of 20 – 70oC and volume concentration less than 4.0%. The
thermal conductivity data of Pak and Cho [21], Williams et al. [13], Lee et al. [4], Murshed et
al. [8], Das et al. [7], Chon and Kihm [22], Mintsa et al [23], Beck et al. [24], Avsec [25],
Duangthongsuk and Wongwises [26], Sundar et al. [27] and Hong et al. [28] for metal and
metal oxides such as Al2O3, TiO2, Fe3O4, ZrO2, CuO and ZnO nanofluids consisting of 252
data points available in the literature are used in the development of regression equations.
Regression is applied to the data assuming that the complexity associated with the motion of
the nano particle in the medium is dependent on the  - terms given by

k nf
 F  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  (3)
kw
Tnf dp p
where  1  :2  : 3  , 4  
T *
nf d *
p w
Tnf* and d *p are the upper limits of the experimental data related to temperature and
nanoparticle diameter chosen as reference values employed in the regression.


k nf     Tnf  
1.37 0.2777
dp 
0.0336
 p 
0.01737

kr   0.8938 1   1   1      (4)
kw 
  100   70   150    w  

Table 2. Regression equations for the estimation of water properties

 Tw  4.02 
 w  1000  1.0   [47]
 119000  1365  Tw  4  Tw  2

 w  0.00169  4.25263e  5  Tw  4.9255e  7  Tw 2  2.0993504e  9  Tw 3
k w  0.56112  0.00193  Tw  2.60152749e  6  Tw   6.08803e  8  Tw 
2 3

C  4217.629  3.20888  T  0.09503  T

w w
 w 2 0.00132  Tw 3 9.415 e  6  Tw 4
 2.5479 e  8  T  w 5
The properties of water are estimated with the aid of equations listed in Table 2 having a
maximum deviation of 2.6 % applicable in the range 5  Tw  70 where Tw is the
 Correlations to Predict Friction and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Coefficients … 7

temperature of water in oC. The values of density, specific heat and thermal conductivity of
nano materials used in the regression equation (4) are shown as Table 3. The correlation
equation is validated with the data shown in the legend of Figure 1 with a maximum deviation
of less than 11% for a few points.

Table 3. Physical properties of nano materials

Thermal
Density, Specific heat,
Nanoparticle Conductivity, Reference
kg/m3 J/ kg K
W/m K
Al2O3 36 3880 773 Pak and Cho [21]
Kothandaraman and
Cu 383 8954 386
Subramanyam [48]
CuO 69 6350 535 Fotukian and Nasr Esfahany [17]
Manahan [49]
Fe3O4 6 5180 670 wikipedia [50]
engineeringtoolbox [51]
Kothandaraman and
SiC 490 3160 675
Subramanyam [48]
SiO2 1.4 2220 745 Vajjha et al. [52]
TiO2 8.4 4175 692 Pak and Cho [21]
Vajjha and Das [53]
ZnO 29 5600 514
Hong et al. [28]
Kothandaraman and
ZrO2 1.7 5500 502
Subramanyam [48]

Figure 1. Validation of thermal conductivity data with the equation (4).

8 K. V. Sharma, P. K. Sarma, W. H. Azmi et al.

2.4. Absolute Viscosity of Nanofluid  nf

Nguyen et al. [29] conducted experiments for the determination of viscosity of Al 2O3 and
CuO nanofluids in water at different concentrations and particle sizes under ambient
conditions. The authors have stated that the viscosity of Al2O3 nanofluid with particle size of
36 and 47nm and CuO of 29nm size predicted close values for volume concentration less than
4% and deviated at higher concentrations. Hence the experimental data of viscosity obtained
by Nguyen et al. [29], Hwang et al. [30], Wang et al. [31], Zeinali Heris et al. [32], Nguyen et
al. [33], Lee et al. [34], Pak and Cho [21], He et al. [35], Duangthongsuk and Wongwises [36]
and Lee et al. [37] having volume concentration less than 4%, consisting of 233 data points
are subjected to regression and the following correlation obtained.

0.038 0.061
 nf   
11 .3  T   d 
r   C1 1   1  nf  1  p  (5)
w  100   70   170 
   

Correlation equation (5) is validated with the experimental data, shown as Figure 2 with
C1  1 .4 for SiC and C1  1 .0 for other water based nanofluids. The data could be correlated
with an average deviation of 3.18%, standard deviation of 3.8% and a maximum deviation of
13%. Thus, having established correlations (1), (2), (4) and (5) for the estimation of nanofluid
properties, the application of these relations in evaluating friction and heat transfer
coefficients for turbulent flow will be undertaken.

Figure 2. Validation of viscosity data with the equation (6).

 Correlations to Predict Friction and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Coefficients … 9

3. FORCED CONVECTIVE HEAT TRANSFER WITH NANOPARTICLES

IN BASE LIQUID WATER

3.1. Friction Coefficients

For conditions of dynamic similarity for flow of the two media viz., nanofluid and base
liquid water in tubes, the ratio of friction coefficients can be written as follows:

fn f  C  Re mB
fr   2  (6)
fB  C 3  Re nf
p

where for base fluid water f B  C 2 / Re B

m
where C 2  0.3164 and m  0 . 25 . The
underlying assumption is that the nanofluid behaves as a Newtonian fluid for concentration
less than 4.0%. For low volume concentrations of the nanofluid, it is possible that the
magnitudes of the exponents m  n . From equation (7) the system of governing criteria can
be written as

fn f   nf  nf 
fr   F ,  (7)
fB  w w 

The data from experimental investigations of Williams et al. [13], Fotukian and Esfahany
[17], Yu et al. [12], Xuan and Li [16], Sundar and Sharma [38], Sharma et al. [39] are
employed to obtain the exact relationship between the non-dimensional terms of Eq. (7). The
equation reduces to Blasius form when   0 .

fn f   nf 
0.514
  nf 
0.1248

fr   1.078      (8)
fB   w   w  

3.2. Heat Transfer Coefficients

Correlation to predict heat transfer coefficients of nanofluids is attempted on lines similar

to Colburn analogy. However, the presence of nanoparticles inducing augmentation due to
intensive movement might require modifications such as the inclusion of concentration.
Estimation of turbulent forced convection heat transfer coefficient corresponds mostly to
experimental data with spherical shaped nanoparticles dispersed in water with volume
concentration up to 3.7% in the turbulent Reynolds number range of 3000< Re< 63000. The
regression equation valid in this range is obtained as

h D   Prnf 
Nu
Colburn
 Colburn  0.0003729 Re
k
0.7571
Pr
1/ 3
w
f /8
r
 2.311
  1 
 100
 0.5558

(9)
nf  
10 K. V. Sharma, P. K. Sarma, W. H. Azmi et al.

with an average deviation of 6.1% and standard deviation of 7.5% with the exception of a few
data points deviating from the correlation by a maximum of 19.0%. Equations (1), (2), (4), (5)
and (8) are used in the development of Eq. (9) for the estimation of Nusselt number. Equation
(9) is validated with the nanofluid experimental data and water as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 3. Validation of friction factor data with the equation (8).

Figure 4. Validation of Nusselt number data with the equation (9).

 Correlations to Predict Friction and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Coefficients … 11

Micro Convection Model for Heat Transfer Enhancement

The mechanism of nanofluid thermal conductivity enhancement is mainly due to
Brownian movement of the particles according to Prasher et al. [40]. The present model
considers the heat transfer enhancement as due to combined influence of Brownian motion of
the particle and the forced convection of the single phase nanofluid. The Brownian motion is
due to density difference between the particle and fluid and can be estimated with the relation

1/ 3
 3   
micro p
h  gd p   p   w 
d 
Nu   0.10  Pr  (10)
micro k 2 w w
w w 
 

The turbulent forced convective heat transfer coefficient is estimated with equation (9).
The combined influence of micro and forced convection heat transfer are combined with the
procedure suggested by Churchill [41] given as

  
hnf  hmicro n  h Colburn n 1 / n   (11)

For n=8, the experimental data is in close agreement with Eq. (11) as shown in Figure 5
shown as

  
hnf  hmicro 8  h Colburn 8 1 / 8  (12)

Correlation to predict heat transfer coefficients of nanofluids is attempted similar to

Dittus-Boёlter [42] equation for pure fluids. The regression equation valid for the range is
obtained as

h D  0.012
nf 0 .8 0 .4 
Nu   0.023 Re Pr 1  Pr  1   0.23 (13)
nf k w  nf 
nf

with an average deviation of 6.13% and standard deviation of 7.5% with the exception of a
few data points deviating from the correlation by 20%. In the absence of nanoparticles,   0 ,
Pr  0 , Eq. (12) simplifies to the conventional form applicable for base liquid water
nf
obtained as

h D 0 .8 0 .4
Nu  w  0 .023 Re Pr (14)
k w
w

The modified Dittus-Boelter equation (13) is applicable for both water and nanofluids.
The values obtained using Eq. (13) is compared with the experimental values as shown in
Figure 6.
12 K. V. Sharma, P. K. Sarma, W. H. Azmi et al.

Figure 5. Comparison of experimental heat transfer coefficients with the Eq. (11).

Figure 6. Comparison of experimental data of Nusselt with the Eq. (12).

 Correlations to Predict Friction and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Coefficients … 13

Eddy Diffusivity Equations of Sarma et al.

A mathematical model for the evaluation of nanofluid heat transfer coefficient under
turbulent flow has been presented by Sarma et al. [20]. Making certain simplifications and
introducing a correction factor for the mixing length, expressions for eddy diffusivity of
momentum  m  nf  and energy  H  nf  have been presented. The numerical procedure
undertaken for the determination of heat transfer coefficient as explained by Sarma et al. [20]
is followed in the present analysis. The eddy diffusivity equations along with Eq. (8) for
friction factor is employed in the evaluation of the Nusselt number and validated with Eq.
(12). Evaluation of turbulent heat transfer coefficients of nanofluids employing eddy
diffusivity equations and validating experimental heat transfer coefficients with properties
estimated with a single equation has not been undertaken till now. It is proposed to address
the problem of heat transfer reduction under certain operating conditions and study the
parameters influencing heat transfer coefficients.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The experimental data of various investigators in the turbulent range are compared with
the values obtained from the numerical results and shown in Figures 7-14. The experimental
data of Xuan and Li [16] for heat transfer coefficients lie in the range of 10000  Re  22000
and 0 . 0    2 . 0 % for water and Cu nanofluids. The experimental data are shown enclosed
by the theoretical lines in Figure 7. The average size of the Cu particles used in their analysis
is stated to be smaller than 100nm. The viscosity and thermal conductivity at a volume
concentration are considered constant by Xuan and Li [16], whereas the present analysis
considers the properties to be dependent on temperature and particle size, in addition to
concentration. Since the experimental range of Prandtl number and temperature not disclosed,
the theoretical lines are drawn for minimum and maximum concentration, assuming the
particle size as 35nm for two temperatures at the higher concentration. Fotukian and Esfahany
[17] stated that their experimental data is in good agreement with the equation (14) of
Bungiorno [43] for CuO nanofluid, when the value of laminar sublayer is considered as
 v  8.75.

f
8

Re  1000 Pr
b b

Nu  (15)
b
1 
 f
v 8
Pr
v

2/3
1 
The operating temperatures not disclosed, Prandtl number thus determined with equation
(15) are estimated to vary between 2.0 and 4.7 with the assumption that Prv  Prb . The heat
transfer coefficients in the volume concentration range of experimental data shown in Figure
8 encompass between 2.1 and 6.8 for Prandtl number. Experimental data of Yu et al. [12]
with SiC dispersed in water at 3.7% volume concentration undertaken in the range
3300  Re  13000 is shown along with theoretical values in Figure 9.
14 K. V. Sharma, P. K. Sarma, W. H. Azmi et al.

Figure 7 Comparison of data with theory for Cu nanofluid of [16].

Figure 8. Comparison of data with theory for CuO nanofluid of [17].

Correlations to Predict Friction and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Coefficients … 15

Figure 9. Comparison of data with theory for SiC nanofluid of [12].

Figure 10. Comparison of data with theory for TiO 2 nanofluids of [21].
16 K. V. Sharma, P. K. Sarma, W. H. Azmi et al.

Figure 11. Comparison of data with theory for Al2O3 nanofluids of [21].

Figure 12. Comparison of data with theory for ZrO 2 nanofluids of [13].
 Correlations to Predict Friction and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Coefficients … 17

Figure 13. Comparison of data with theory for Al2O3 nanofluids of [13].

Figure 14. Comparison of data with theory for TiO 2 nanofluid of [36].

The authors have stated the experimental range as 34 to 57 oC for temperature and Prandtl
number between 4.6 and 7.1. It is to be noted that the viscosity of SiC are consistently higher
18 K. V. Sharma, P. K. Sarma, W. H. Azmi et al.

by about 40% than those predicted by the Eq. (5). Hence using a coefficient of 1.4 in viscosity
equation (5), the theoretical values enclose the experimental data for the temperatures stated
by the author. Pak and Cho [21] conducted experiments with TiO2 and Al2O3 nanofluids at
25oC approximately.
The experimental data are compared with the theory for the minimum and maximum
concentration in Figures 10 and 11. The theoretical values are in good agreement with the
experimental data for TiO2 shown in Figure 10. The Al2O3 nanofluid experimental data are
presented along with values from theory in Figure 11.
The values of Prandtl number estimated with Eqs. (4) and (5) is shown as dashed line and
for the values given by the author as solid lines in the Figure 11. The theory predicts better
with the values of the author. This is due to very high values of viscosity obtained by them
compared to values obtained by all other investigators.
The variation of heat transfer coefficient with Reynolds number for ZrO 2 and Al2O3
nanofluids at different concentrations obtained by Williams et al. [13] is shown in Figures 12
and 13 respectively.
The authors have reported the experimental range of 21–76oC for temperature. However,
the theoretical values of heat transfer coefficients are shown between 20 – 70oC, as the
property relations developed are valid in this range. It can be observed that most of the
theoretical values are in good agreement with the experimental data. The deviations between
them are primarily due to inadequate information regarding nanofluid temperatures and the
Prandtl number evaluated by them.

Figure 15. Variation of property enhancement ratio with temperature for TiO2 of [36].
Correlations to Predict Friction and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Coefficients … 19

Figure 16. Variation of property enhancement ratio with temperature for SiC of [12].

Figure 17. Variation of property enhancement ratio with temperature for Al 2O3 of [21].
20 K. V. Sharma, P. K. Sarma, W. H. Azmi et al.

Figure 18. Variation of property enhancement ratio with temperature for ZrO2 of [13].
 Correlations to Predict Friction and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Coefficients … 21

Figure 19. Variation of property enhancement ratio with temperature for Al 2O3 of [13].

The heat transfer data of Duangthongsuk and Wongwises [36] is shown along with the
values from theory for TiO2 nanofluid at a temperature of 25oC. The authors have observed a
decrease in heat transfer coefficients with increasing concentration as can be observed from
Figure 14. A significant deviation between the present theory and the experimental data can
be observed. The property equations (4) and (5) are used to determine the enhancements in
viscosity to thermal conductivity ratio. Figure 15 is drawn between the ratio and nanofluid
temperature valid for the experimental conditions undertaken by Duangthongsuk and
Wongwises [36].
According to Prasher et al. [44], heat transfer enhancements are possible if the viscosity
to thermal conductivity enhancement ratio is less than 4.0 shown as a thick horizontal line in
Figure 15. Since the experiments are undertaken at 25 oC at all flow rates, the enhancement
ratio is less than 4.0 for 1.0% concentration and greater for 2.0%. Hence, there is a decrease
in heat transfer coefficients when the concentration is increased from 1.0% to 2.0% as
observed by the investigators. Similar observations can be made for the data of ZrO 2, Al2O3
(Williams et al. [36]), SiC (Yu et al. [12]) and Al2O3 (Pak and Cho [21]). The reasons for the
reduction in heat transfer coefficients can be observed through Figures 16 -19 for the
conditions undertaken by the authors.

CONCLUSION
The following conclusions are made from the analysis undertaken with Cu, CuO, TiO 2,
SiC, ZrO2 and Al2O3 nanofluids with water as the base fluid

The inclusion of material properties in the thermal conductivity equation could

predict the heat transfer coefficients satisfactorily.
a) The thermo physical properties can be estimated from equations (4) and (5)
respectively for thermal conductivity and absolute viscosity for concentration
  3 .7 % and 20  d  150 .
p
b) The material properties influence the heat transfer coefficients. The heat transfer
coefficients increases with temperature for Cu whereas it decreases for other
materials such as metal oxides.
c) The micro convection model employing the eddy diffusivity equations of Sarma et
al. [20] could successfully evaluate the heat transfer coefficients in the turbulent
range.
d) The friction coefficient can be estimated from equation (8) valid for both nanofluids
and water
e) The forced convective heat transfer coefficients in the turbulent range can be
estimated either from equation (9) or (13) and micro convection due to Brownian
motion with Eq. (10).
f) The heat transfer coefficients due to the combined effect of forced and micro
convection can be estimated with Eq. (11)
22 K. V. Sharma, P. K. Sarma, W. H. Azmi et al.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The financial support to the first author by University Malaysia Pahang is gratefully
acknowledged. Prof. P.K.Sarma acknowledges the support received from GITAM University,
Visakhapatnam, India.

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Accepted 22 April 2012.

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