Heat Transfer Enhancement Characteristics of Al2O3/Water and CuO/Water Nanofluids in a Tube in Tube Condenser Fitted With an Air Conditioning System—An Experimental Comparison

Abstract

In this study, heat transfer performance of nanofluids (Al2O3/water and CuO/water nanofluid) is experienced by using the condensing unit of an air conditioner. Nanoparticles at 30 nm are suspended at various volume concentrations (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) in the base fluid are produced for this current work. The nanofluids, considered as a cooling fluid, flow in the outer side of the tube of condenser, and general working condition of the air conditioner is applied for the investigation. Experimental results highlight the enhancement of heat transfer rate because of the existence of nanoparticles in the fluid. Two nanofluids show better heat transfer rate than does the base fluid. The Nusselt numbers for CuO/water and Al2O3/water nanofluids are enhanced up to 39.48% and 33.86%, respectively. The findings show that CuO/water nanofluids exhibit better heat transfer rate than Al2O3/water nanofluids.