Towards convective heat transfer optimization in aluminum tube automotive radiators: Potential assessment of novel Fe₂O₃-TiO₂/water hybrid nanofluid

Nanofluids have emerged as potential prospect coolant in heat transfer applications. Hybrid nanofluid is recently developed class of nanofluids having two different types of nanoparticles suspended in the base fluid. In this research, a novel hybrid nanofluid containing Fe₂O₃-TiO₂ (50:50) nanoparticles suspended in water basefluid has been used to improve the convective heat transfer in aluminum tube automotive radiator. Three hybrid nanoparticle concentrations (0.005 vol.%, 0.007 vol.% and 0.009 vol.%) were tested. Effect of inlet temperature and fluid velocity on heat transfer rate was examined by varying the inlet temperature from 48 °C to 56 °C and flowrate from 11 LPM to 15 LPM. Heat transfer rate increased by a maximum of 26.7% at 56 °C inlet temperature, 15 LPM flowrate and 0.009 vol.% nanoparticle concentration. At aforementioned operating conditions, Nusselt number increased by 20.03%. Increase in inlet temperature from 48 °C to 56 °C increased the heat transfer rate by 8%. Past 0.009 vol.% concentration, nanoparticle clogging diminished the stability of hybrid nanofluid which results in overall performance deterioration.