Experimental insights into PEG based new fluids thermal effusivity

Abstract. Fluids thermal transfer is of utmost relevance in a large number of industrial or semi industrial applications. On the other hand, the need for environmental friendly new fluids plays a relevant role in the heat transfer agent selection. Poly(ethylene glycol) are synthetic, hydrophilic, biocompatible polymers with extensive use in a large number of applications. PEGs are synthesized by means of a ring-opening polymerization of ethylene oxide and a large range of molecular weights and polydispersity’s are produced. From these products, only substances with lower molecular weights can be employed for thermal transfer., more exactly for molecular weight lower than 600. This paper presents the outcomes of an experimental investigation into the thermal effusivity of PEG 400, PEG 200 and water mixtures for convection heat transfer applications. Quite a lot of samples with different concentrations were manufactured, examined and the data were thoroughly discussed comparatively and in the context of cutting-edge advancements. The concept now known as thermal effusivity has been emplyed since the early stages of heat transfer research as a valuable feature for analyzing 1D heat transfer setups.