CFD-Entropy generation analysis of refrigerant-based nanofluids flow in a tube

Abstract

The present paper aims to numerically investigate the flow, heat transfer and entropy generation of some hydrocarbon based nanorefrigerants flowing in a circular tube subject to constant heat flux boundary condition. Numerical tests have been performed for 4 types of nanoparticles, namely Al2O3, CuO, SiO2, and ZnO with a diameter equal to 30 nm and a volume concentration of φ = 5%. These nanoparticles are dispersed in some hydrocarbon-based refrigerants, namely tetrafluoroethane (R134a), propane (R290), butane (R600), isobutane (R600a) and propylene (R1270). Computations have been performed for Reynolds number ranging from 600 to 2200. The numerical results in terms of the average heat transfer coefficient of pure refrigerants have been compared to values obtained using correlations from the literature. The results show that the increase of the Reynolds number increases the heat transfer coefficient and decreases the total entropy generation.

Keywords

• nanorefrigerant
• cfd
• heat transfer coefficient
• entropy generation
• pressure drop