Effect of fin thickness on mixed convection of hybrid nanofluid exposed to magnetic field-Enhancement of heat sink efficiency

Abstract

The present study numerically simulates the mixed convection of the hybrid nanofluid (HNFs) of Al2O3/CuO–H2O on a simple heat sink (HS). The (HNFs) flow passes on an isothermal HS. The NF flow was treated as a slip flow on the upper wall. A uniform magnetic field influences the NF flow. The control volume method was employed with SIMPLE algorithm to solve the algebraic equations. For this purpose, the thickness of fins was changed between 0.1 and 0.3, studying four layouts for fins with different thicknesses. The results indicated that dispersing 3% volume fraction of hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) at a 1:1 ratio to the water enhanced heat transfer and entropy generation (Sgen) by 2.78% and 6.59%, respectively. Compared to Al2O3 NPs, dispersing CuO NPs was approved that has a larger effect on heat transfer improvement. A change in the fin thickness or layout at different Richardson numbers (Ri) triggered different behavior in isotherms and Sgen.

Keywords

• Hybrid nanofluid
• Heat sink
• Mix convection
• Entropy generation