Conceptions for heat transfer correlation of nanofluids

The nanofluid is a solid-liquid mixture in which metallic or nonmetallic nanoparticles are suspended. The suspended ultrafine particles change transport properties and heat transfer performance of the nanofluid, which exhibits a great potential in enhancing heat transfer. The mechanism of heat transfer enhancement of the nanofluid is investigated. Based on the assumption that the nanofluid behaves more like a fluid rather than a conventional solid-fluid mixture, this article proposes two different approaches for deriving heat transfer correlation of the nanofluid. The effects of transport properties of the nanofluid and thermal dispersion are included. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.