Nanofluids are potential heat transfer fluids with enhanced thermophysical properties and heat transfer performance can be applied in many devices for better performances (i.e. energy, heat transfer and other performances). In this paper, a comprehensive literature on the applications and challenges of nanofluids have been compiled and reviewed. Latest up to date literatures on the applications and challenges in terms of PhD and Master thesis, journal articles, conference proceedings, reports and web materials have been reviewed and reported. Recent researches have indicated that substitution of conventional coolants by nanofluids appears promising. Specific application of nanofluids in engine cooling, solar water heating, cooling of electronics, cooling of transformer oil, improving diesel generator efficiency, cooling of heat exchanging devices, improving heat transfer efficiency of chillers, domestic refrigerator-freezers, cooling in machining, in nuclear reactor and defense and space have been reviewed and presented. Authors also critically analyzed some of the applications and identified research gaps for further research. Moreover, challenges and future directions of applications of nanofluids have been reviewed and presented in this paper. Based on results available in the literatures, it has been found nanofluids have a much higher and strongly temperature-dependent thermal conductivity at very low particle concentrations than conventional fluids. This can be considered as one of the key parameters for enhanced performances for many of the applications of nanofluids. Because of its superior thermal performances, latest up to date literatures on this property have been summarized and presented in this paper as well. However, few barriers and challenges that have been identified in this review must be addressed carefully before it can be fully implemented in the industrial applications.

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A review on applications and challenges of nanofluids

The role of electrical insulation is critical for the proper operation of electrical equipment. Power equipment cannot operate without energy losses, which lead to rises in temperature. It is therefore essential to dissipate the heat generated by the energy losses, especially under high load conditions. Failing to do so results in premature aging, and ultimately to failure of the equipment. Heat dissipation can be achieved by circulating certain liquids, which also ensure electrical insulation of energized conductors. The insulating-fluids market is therefore likely to be dominated by liquids, leaving to gases (such as compressed air and SF6) limited applications in power equipment such as circuit breakers and switchgear [1]-[3]. Several billion liters of insulating liquids are used worldwide in power equipment such as transformers (power, rectifier, distribution, traction, furnace, potential, current) [4], resistors [5], reactors [6], capacitors [7], cables [8], bushings [9], circuit breakers [10], tap changers [11], thyristor cooling in power electronics, etc. [12]. In addition to their main functions of protecting solid insulation, quenching arc discharges, and dissipating heat, insulating liquids can also act as acoustic dampening media in power equipment such as transformers. More importantly, they provide a convenient means of routine evaluation of the condition of electrical equipment over its service life. Indeed, liquids play a vital role in maintaining the equipment in good condition (like blood in the human body). In particular they are responsible for the functional serviceability of the dielectric (insulation) system, the condition of which can be a decisive factor in determining the life span of the equipment [13]. Testing the physicochemical and electrical properties of the liquids can provide information on incipient electrical and mechanical failures. In some equipment, liquid samples can be obtained without service interruption.

50 years in the development of insulating liquids

In many applications, there is a critical need for enhancing the poor thermal conductivity of conventional fluids in order to develop efficient heat transfer fluids. This requirement can be met through dispersing nanometric particles in a given base fluid such as water, ethylene glycol, oil or air. The resulting nanofluids enhanced thermal conductivity of the base fluids. In order to evaluate this enhancement, nanofluid thermal conductivity is required to be measured. Several methods and techniques are covered in the present contribution. In addition, enhancements recorded experimentally are reviewed and summarized. Different parameters affecting on such enhancement are covered, including: nanoparticle concentration, size, shape and thermal conductivity. In addition, base fluid type, nanofluid bulk temperature and dispersion techniques are also covered parameters. However, nanofluids have the potential to contribute in several practical applications including solar thermal, transportation, electronic cooling, medical, detergency and military applications. In the present work, a brief overview of evolution in the use of nanofluids in some applications has been presented. According to this contribution, there is a critical need for further fundamental and applications of nanofluids studies in order to understand the physical mechanisms of using nanofluids as well as explore different aspects of applications of nanofluids.

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Experimental studies of nanofluid thermal conductivity enhancement and applications: A review

A comprehensive review on synthesis, stability, thermophysical properties, and characterization of nanofluids

Ultrahigh performance cooling is one of the important needs of many industries. However, low thermal conductivity is a primary limitation in developing energy-efficient heat transfer fluids that are required for cooling purposes. Nanofluids are engineered by suspending nanoparticles with average sizes below 100 nm in heat transfer fluids such as water, oil, diesel, ethylene glycol, etc. Innovative heat transfer fluids are produced by suspending metallic or nonmetallic nanometer-sized solid particles. Experiments have shown that nanofluids have substantial higher thermal conductivities compared to the base fluids. These suspended nanoparticles can change the transport and thermal properties of the base fluid. As can be seen from the literature, extensive research has been carried out in alumina-water and CuO-water systems besides few reports in Cu-water-, TiO2-, zirconia-, diamond-, SiC-, Fe3O4-, Ag-, Au-, and CNT-based systems. The aim of this review is to summarize recent developments in research on the stability of nanofluids, enhancement of thermal conductivities, viscosity, and heat transfer characteristics of alumina (Al2O3)-based nanofluids. The Al2O3 nanoparticles varied in the range of 13 to 302 nm to prepare nanofluids, and the observed enhancement in the thermal conductivity is 2% to 36%.

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Al2O3-based nanofluids: a review

The ability of conventional fluids to conduct heat is significantly inferior to solids. The motivation to increase fluid thermal characteristics is not a novel idea. Initial experiments involved adding solid particles with more desirable properties to the base fluid under the hypothesis that the overall mixture's thermal behaviour would be more favourable. The recent advance in materials technology has made it possible by producing nanofluids. These are produced by suspending metallic or nonmetallic nanometer-sized solid particles in base fluids. These suspended nanoparticles can change the transport and thermal properties of the base fluid. The aim of this review is to summarize recent developments in research on the stability, enhancement of thermal conductivities, viscosity and heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids. As is evident in this report, extensive research has been carried out in Alumina-water and CuO-water systems besides few reports in Cu-water, and carbon nanotube (CNT) based systems. ...

NanoFluids—A New Promising Fluid for Cooling

The development of stable dispersion of nanoparticles in different oils is gaining momentum for close circuit applications as most of the mineral oils used are not very good thermal conductors. The enhancement of thermal conductivity with optimum enhancement of viscosity of oil with nanoparticles poses a serious challenge for use of such fluids in cooling. Transformer oil, mineral oil, silicon oil, hydrocarbon fuels, biodiesel, and some organic solutions have been used as the base fluids for studying the effect of nanoparticles for improving thermal efficiency. Innovative heat transfer fluids are produced by suspending metallic or nonmetallic nanometer-sized solid particles. Although a large number of sources are available on water-based nanofluids, the number of such reports on oil-based nanofluids is rather limited. The aim of this article is to summarize recent developments on the preparation methods of nanofluids based on oil, its stability, thermal conductivity enhancement, nanoparticle effect on vis...

V. Sridhara

Papers

NanoFluids—A New Promising Fluid for Cooling

Effect of Nanoparticles on Thermal Properties Enhancement in Different Oils – A Review