Numerical Simulation of Heat transfer Enhancement in IC Engine using Al2O3-H2O Nanofluids as a Coolant

Objectives: The focal objective of this article is to examine the influence of Al2O3-water based nanofluids as a coolant in IC engines. The nanoparticles are considered with different concentrations at various temperatures. Methods: Numerical simulations (MATLAB) were performed to explore the heat transfer characteristics of Al2O3-water nanofluids with varying nanoparticle concentrations (0.2%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) at various temperatures (50°C, 60°C, and 70°C). The mass flow rate of the nanofluid was varied, and the resulting heat transfer rates were evaluated. Thermal conductivity and viscosity were studied using 3D surface plots, and contour plots were used to observe the effects of temperature and volume fraction on thermal properties. Findings: The heat transfer rate increased with higher mass flow rates and nanoparticle concentrations. At higher Al2O3 concentrations, the enhancement ratio decreased, showing diminishing returns as the concentration increased from 0.2% to 5%. Thermal conductivity increased linearly with the volume fraction, while viscosity decreased with temperature and increased with higher particle concentrations. Nanofluids exhibited superior heat transfer performance compared to water, with higher concentrations of Al2O3 showing significant improvement. Novelty This study highlights the effectiveness of Al2O3-water nanofluids in enhancing heat transfer rates for IC engine applications. It provides a comprehensive understanding of how nanoparticle concentration and operating conditions influence thermal performance. The findings underscore the potential of nanofluids as a superior alternative to conventional cooling fluids for improving the thermal efficiency of IC engines. Keywords: Nanofluids, Enhancement ratio, Contour plot, Coolant, Volume concentration