Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Nanofluid Utilization on Heat Transfer Performance in Unmanned Aircraft Radiators with Various Spring-Type Fins

In the study conducted for the cooling systems of MALE class unmanned aerial vehicles using internal combustion engines, new type radiators were designed using spring-structure fins. Among the radiators formed with spring structures acting as fins, the radiator developed using springs with a pitch of 2.25 mm was named Radiator-Y1, the radiator developed using springs with a pitch of 4.25 mm was named Radiator-Y2, and the radiator developed using springs with a pitch of 8.25 mm was named Radiator-Y3. This design change is seen as an innovative method that can increase heat transfer on the radiator surface and increase cooling performance by increasing the turbulence effect of the air affecting the radiator. Experimental studies were carried out using single type (Al₂O₃ and ZnO) and hybrid (ZnO-CuO) nanofluids in addition to pure water. Experiments were carried out using different air speeds (8-10-12 m/s) and different coolant flow rates (20-22 L/min) and radiator performance was investigated. The effects of the surface area created by the spring structure and the turbulence effect on heat transfer were evaluated. As a result of the studies, Radiator-Y1 showed the best cooling performance among the radiators developed with spring structures, followed by Radiator-Y2 and Radiator-Y3. It was observed that the nanofluids used had a positive effect on the cooling performance compared with pure water, as did the hybrid nanofluid compared when compared with single type nanofluids.