Experimental Investigation of Viscosity and Thermal Coefficients Affecting Heat Transfer in Crude Oil Blended with Ferric oxide Nanoparticles to Determine Its Thermophysical Properties

This study investigates the influence of incorporating nanosized Ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) particles into crude oil on its thermophysical and hydrodynamic properties. Experimental analyses were conducted using a custom-designed system consisting of an adiabatic test section, a heating unit, and a control module to evaluate variations in viscosity, density, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and flow behavior. Samples of crude oil were blended with different weight fractions of Ferric oxide nanoparticles (1–11 wt%) and tested under temperatures ranging from 25 to 90 °C. The results revealed that adding nanoparticles significantly enhanced thermal conductivity (by up to 2.48 times) and overall heat transfer coefficient (by approximately 1.5 times) compared to the base crude oil. Conversely, properties such as kinematic viscosity and Prandtl number decreased with increasing temperature and nanoparticle loading. Experimental findings indicated that nano-enhanced oils exhibited higher Reynolds and Peclet numbers, faster flow velocities, and a moderate increase in friction factor. These outcomes demonstrate the potential of Ferric oxide nanoparticles to improve the heat transfer characteristics of crude oil, making them promising candidates for advanced thermal management and efficient energy transport in petroleum processing and pipeline systems.