Author : N. K. Chavda, Janak P. Jani, Arpit K. Patel, Kuldeep P. Zala and Nikunj G. Nimbark

A nanofluid is a mixture of nano sized particles and a base fluid. Typical nanoparticles are made of metals, oxides or carbides, while base fluids may be water, ethylene glycol or oil. Generally, nanofluids are used to enhance heat transfer rate. The heat transfer enhancement using nanofluid mainly depends on type of nanoparticles, size of nanoparticles and concentration of nanoparticles in base fluid. Due to utilization of nanofluid, resistance to flow of fluid increases which increases the friction factor and reduces the flow rate. In the present paper, an experimental investigation is carried out to determine the effect of various concentration of Al2O3 nano-dispersion mixed in water as base fluid. The volume concentrations of Al2O3 nanofluid prepared are 0.001 %, 0.002 %, 0.003 % and 0.004 %. The conclusion derived for the study is that friction factor and loss coefficient of different pipes and pipe fittings increase with increase in volume concentration of Al2O3 nano-dispersion compared to water.

Keywords: Nanofluid, Friction Factor, Pipe, Pipe Fittings, Aluminum Oxide.

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.4, No.6 (Dec-2014)