Author : S. M. Sakhare Chougule and S. H. Sarje

The experimental set up has prepared to study effect of nanofluid on the thermal performance of the heat pipe. The circular section heat pipe, temperature sensor, heater and control panel have used in the experimental set up. The control panel includes temperature indicator, voltmeter, ammeter and dimmerstat. The nanofluid is water based Al2O3 with three concentrations 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5%. The thermal performance of heat pipe has tested for different heat inputs and concentrations of Al2O3.The observations were taken by passing both pure water and three concentrations of Al2O3 over the condenser section of heat pipe. The heat transfer rate has increased in condenser section of heat pipe when nanofluid was passed and it has lowered when pure water is passed. For 0.1% and 0.3% concentration of Al2O3, heat transfer has increased and for 0.5% concentration it has lowered to some extent but more than pure water. For 0.3% concentration of Al2O3 maximum heat transfer has observed. Also the condenser wall temperature of the heat pipe has decreases when nanofluid was passed.

Keywords: Heat pipe, Al2O3 , nanofluid, heat transfer, thermal performance, concentrations