Final year mechanical engineering project presentation. Findings obtained through simulations, using ANSYS. Modelling done using SolidWorks. Tabulated results and graphical representation of results portraying comparison to performance of Al2O3 nanofluid in same model.

1. AN ANALYSIS ON
THE THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF COBALT OXIDE (Co3O4)
NANOFLUID IN GASKETED PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER
FINAL PRESENTATION
GUIDED BY :
Er. Vimal O Kumar
Assistant professor
Dept of Mechanical Engineering
Saintgits College of Engineering
PRESENTED BY:
Hrishikesh Rajesh - MGP19ME056
Oommen Thomas Tharakan - MGP19ME084
Roshan Sajan - MGP19ME086
S8 ME(B)
GROUP NO : 7

2. CONTENTS
◼Introduction
◼Literature Review
◼Objectives
◼Problem Statement
◼Methodology
◼Observations and Results
◼Conclusion
◼References 2

3. INTRODUCTION
◼ Miniaturization has led to the development of Compact Plate Heat Exchangers (CPHE)
◼ These provide higher heat transfer area and performance but causes high heat fluxes
◼ Advanced heat transfer fluids (HTFs) are required to provide cooling and improve
efficiency
3

4. LITERATURE REVIEW
4
Sl No Title Inference Authors Year
1
Experimental
investigation of heat
transfer performance of
Al2O3 nanofluids in a
compact plate heat
exchanger
Al2O3 nanoparticles in a Ethylene
Glycol/Water base fluid shows
improvements in heat transfer, thermal
conductivity, viscosity and pressure
drop for various concentrations making
it a viable enhancement for thermal
applications.
Wagd Ajeeb,
Renato R.S.
Thieleke da
Silva,
S.M. Sohel
Murshed
2023
2
Turbulent heat transfer
and flow analysis of
hybrid Al2O3-
CuO/water nanofluid:
An experiment and
CFD simulation study
Compared the properties of hybrid
nanofluid experimentally and through
CFD Simulation. Heat transfer
coefficient improved by 35% compared
to water with the Eulerian model
showing the best prediction.
Shaojie Zhang,
Lin Lu,
Tao Wen,
Chuanshuai
Dong
2020

5. 5
LITERATURE SURVEY
Sl No Title Inference Authors Year
3
Experimental study on
the heat transfer
performance and friction
factor characteristics of
Co3O4 and Al2O3 based
H2O/(CH2OH)2
nanofluids in a vehicle
engine radiator
Cobalt oxide contributes to
higher heat exchanger
effectiveness and more energy
saving compared with alumina.
Maximum NTU is obtained at
higher concentration ratios
with cobalt oxide based water.
Ashraf Mimi Elsaid 2019
4
An experimental study
on the heat transfer
performance of a loop
heat pipe system with
ethanol-water mixture
as working fluid for
aircraft anti-icing
Ethanol-water mixture is a
commonly used, viable Heat
transfer fluid. 60% Ethanol
mixture proved to be best
performing in this case. This
performance is used as
baseline for the analysis.
Su Qian,
Chang Shinan,
Song Mengjie,
Zhao Yuanyuan,
Dang Chaobin
2019

6. 6
LITERATURE SURVEY
Sl No Title Inference Authors Year
5
Experimentational
investigation of the
effect of using water
and ethanol as working
fluid on the
performance of pyramid
shaped solar still
integrated with heat
pipe solar collector
Effects of different filling ratios
were understood. Learned
more about the behaviour of
Ethanol as a working fluid.
Water as sole HTF performed
better than 100% Ethanol
Rasoul Fallahzadeh,
Latif Aref, Nabiollah
Gholamiarjenaki,
Zeinab Nonejad,
Mohammadreza
Saghi
2020
6
Heat transfer
correlations for single-
phase flow in plate heat
exchangers
based on experimental
data
The specific heat transfer
correlations for each BPHE are
proposed using the modified
Wilson plot. A general
empirical correlation is
proposed as well based on the
experimental data. It is found
that herringbone angle is the
most influential factor.
Jie Yang, Anthony
Jacobi, Wei Liu
2016

7. 7
LITERATURE SURVEY
Sl No Title Inference Authors Year
7
Heat transfer
enhancement of modified
flat plate heat exchanger.
Heat transfer enhancement can
also be achieved by using materials
with high thermal conductivity in
the construction of the heat
exchanger plates. Materials with
high thermal conductivity, such as
copper or aluminium, are able to
more efficiently transfer heat from
one medium to the other, resulting
in improved heat transfer.
Salman Al Zahrani
Mohammad S. Islam
Suvash C. Saha
2021

8. 8
TOPIC IDENTIFICATION
From the conducted Literature Review it is learnt that:
◼ Various ways to replace conventional fluids such as water, brines, ethylene glycol or
propylene glycol are continually being experimented
◼ Novel HTFs such as Al2O3, ZnO, CuO, and SiO2 nanofluids have been proposed and
have proven to be viable for applications in Thermal Management Systems

9. 9
TOPIC IDENTIFICATION
◼ Cobalt Oxide (Co3O4) Nanofluid shows potential for improving thermal
performance of Thermal Management Systems
◼ It performed better than Alumina (Al2O3) nanofluid in a vehicle radiator

10. OBJECTIVE
◼ Analysis of suitable nano fluids in heat exchangers which can replace conventional
working fluids
◼ The nano fluid selected must exhibit better performance than alumina and other
used nanofluids
◼ Study of working fluid properties:
1. Reynolds Number
2. Friction Factor
3. Nusselt Number
4. Effectiveness
10

11. PROBLEM STATEMENT
◼ To propose a new nanofluid which can enhance thermophysical properties of the
base fluids compared to currently used nanofluids
11

12. 12

13. METHODOLOGY
◼ The analysis is theoretical and simulation based
◼ A Gasketed PHE is modelled to a determined specification in SolidWorks
◼ The proposed HTF will be a Water based Co3O4 nanofluid
◼ Al2O3 and Co3O4 nanofluid is modelled using its determined properties
13

14. 14
◼ The simulation is done for various concentrations of nanoparticles and mass flow
rates of the nano fluid using ANSYS CFX
◼ The variance in performance for both the nanofluids is tabulated and plotted
◼ The results from the simulation is expected to be consistent with the trends seen in
other practical studies

15. Fig.2 3D Model
15
The assembly consists of:
▪ 1 Cover
▪ 2 Ribbed end plates
▪ 2 Hot ribbed plates
▪ 3 Cold ribbed plates
▪ 5 Gaskets
▪ 8 Seal rings

16. Fig.3 Assembly (Exploded)
16

17. Fig.4 Gasket All Dimensions in m.m.
17

18. 18

19. 19

20. 20

21. Fig.4 Gasket All Dimensions in m.m.
21

22. Fig.5 Cover Plate
22

23. Fig.6 Seal Ring
23

24. Fig.7 Ribbed Plate
24

25. 25

26. 26

27. 27

28. Fig.7 Ribbed Plate
28

29. Fig.8 Meshed Assembly
29

30. FLOW OF HOT FLUID AND COLD FLUID
30
Fig. 9(a) HOT FLUID
Fig. 9(b) COLD FLUID
Hot in
Hot out
Cold in
Cold out

31. 31
DATA
Parameter
Chemical formula
Particle Shape
Appearance
Purity %
Average Grain Size, nm
Density, kg/m3
Specific heat, J/kg.K
Thermal conductivity, W/m.K
Aluminium Oxide Cobalt oxide
Al2O3 Co3O4
Spherical Spherical
White powder Black Powder
99 99
11-25 8-21
3890 6100
765 510
40 69
Table.1 Thermophysical properties of Nanoparticle [3]

32. 32
Parameter Pure water Pure EG
(10/90%)
EG/water
(20/80%)
EG/water
Chemical formula H2O (CH2OH)2 H2O/(CH2OH)2 H2O/(CH2OH)2
Appearance Colorless liquid Colorless liquid Colorless liquid Colorless liquid
Boiling temp, oC 100 197.3 102 102
Freezing temp, oC 0 −12.9 −4 −7
Density, kg/m3 992 1101 1002 1008
Specific heat, J/kg.K 4174 2382 4090 4020
Thermal conductivity, W/m.K 0.633 0.256 0.6 0.58
Dynamic viscosity, kg/m.s 0.00065 0.0095 0.00165 0.0019
Table.2 Thermophysical properties of base fluids [3]

33. 33
Fig. 10 Temperature Contour

34. Temp. Hot In (oC) 40
del T hot(oC) 10.219
Temp. Hot Out (oC) 29.781
Temp. Cold In (oC) 25
del T cold(oC) 10.357
Temp. Cold Out (oC) 35.357
Mass Flow rate (kg/s) 0.5
34
Table.3 Flow input parameters and temperature variations

35. 35
◼ The difference in temperature between hot in and hot out is compared to the
difference in temperature between cold in and cold out
◼ The change in temperature at the ends of both loops is almost equal
◼ This means that the exchanger is balanced and works accordingly

36. 36
DATA
Parameter Value
Hot loop temperature 40 °C
Cold loop temperature 20 °C
Volumetric concentration of Cobalt oxide
Nanoparticles in Nanofluid
0.01 - 0.2 %
Density of Nanofluid 997.0903 – 1006.7868 kg/m3
Flow area 32 mm2
Mass Flow Rate 0.25 – 0.75 kg/s
Gasket Material Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)
Heat Transfer Plate Material 316L Stainless Steel
Table.4 Input Parameters of Simulation

37. CALCULATIONS
Density of fluid at different volume concentrations of the Nanoparticles in Nanofluid [8]:
Formula : 𝜌𝑛𝑓 = ∅ ∗ 𝜌𝑛𝑝 + 1 − ∅ ∗ 𝜌𝑓 - Eqn (1)
Where, ∅ is Nanoparticle volume fraction, %
ρnf Bulk fluid density, kg/m3
ρnp Density of the nanoparticles, kg/m3
ρbf Density of the base fluid, kg/m3
37

38. 38
CALCULATIONS
Specific heat capacity of the nanofluid:
Formula : 𝑐𝑛𝑓 =
∅∗𝜌𝑛𝑝∗𝑐𝑝 + 1−∅ ∗𝜌𝑏𝑓∗𝑐𝑏𝑓
𝜌𝑛𝑓
- Eqn (2)
Where, ∅ is volume fraction, %
𝜌𝑛𝑝 is Density of Nanoparticle, kg/m3
𝑐𝑝 is Specific heat capacity of Nanoparticle, J/kgK
𝜌𝑏𝑓 is Density of basefluid, kg/m3
𝑐𝑏𝑓 is Specific heat capacity of basefluid, J/kgK
𝜌𝑛𝑓 is Density of Nanofluid, kg/m3

39. 39
CALCULATIONS
Thermal Conductivity of Nanofluid :
Formula : 𝑘𝑛𝑓 =
𝑘𝑏𝑓∗ 𝑘𝑛𝑝+ 2∗𝑘𝑏𝑓 − ∅∗2∗ 𝑘𝑏𝑓−𝑘𝑛𝑝
𝑘𝑛𝑝+ 2∗𝑘𝑏𝑓 +∅∗ 𝑘𝑏𝑓−𝑘𝑛𝑝
- Eqn (3)
Where, 𝑘𝑏𝑓 is thermal conductivity of basefluid, W/m K
𝑘𝑛𝑝 is thermal conductivity of nanoparticle, W/m K
𝜑 is volume fraction, %

40. 40
◼ Viscosity of the nanofluids are found from previous experiments and research.
◼ Simulations are run for the range of mass flow rates and concentrations of
nanoparticles.
◼ The velocities of the nanofluids are derived from the simulations for further
calculations.

41. 41
CALCULATIONS
Reynolds Number of the nanofluid:
Formula : (𝑅𝑒) =
𝜌𝑛𝑓
∗𝑣∗𝑑ℎ
𝜇
- Eqn (4)
Where, 𝜌 is the density of the nanofluid, kg/m3
𝑣 is the viscosity of the nanofluid, Pa s
𝑑ℎis the hydraulic diameter of the plate, m
𝜇 is the velocity of the nanofluid, m/s

42. 42
CALCULATIONS
Friction factor of the nanofluid:
Formula : (𝑓) = 1.58 ∗ ln 𝑅𝑒 − 3.82 −2
)- Eqn (5)
Prandtl Number of the nanofluid:
Formula : 𝑃𝑟 =
𝐶𝑛𝑓
∗𝜇𝑛𝑓
𝑘𝑛𝑓
- Eqn (6)
Nusselt Number of the nanofluid:
Formula : (𝑁𝑢) =
𝑓
2
∗ 𝑅𝑒−1000 ∗𝑃𝑟
1+ 12.7∗
𝑓
2
0.5
∗𝑃𝑟
2
3−1
- Eqn (7)

43. 43
CALCULATIONS
Effectiveness of the nanofluid:
Formula : 𝜀 =
𝑞
𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥
- Eqn (8)
Where, q is Actual Heat Transfer = 𝐶𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑 ∗ (𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝑡𝑖𝑛) - Eqn (9)
qmax is Maximum Heat Transfer = 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛
− 𝑡𝑐𝑖𝑛
∗ 𝐶𝑚𝑖𝑛 - Eqn (10)
h is Heat Transfer Coefficient =
(𝑁𝑢 ∗ 𝑘)
𝑑ℎ
- Eqn (11)
Ccold is Heat Capacity of cold fluid = 𝑚𝑐 ∗ 𝑐𝑐 - Eqn (12)
Cmin Minimum heat capacity = min(Chot, Ccold) - Eqn (13)

44. 44
◼ The values of Reynolds number, Nusselt number, Friction Factor and Effectiveness
are tabulated using above formulae

45. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS
45
Conc %
Mass flow rate
(Kg/s)
Reynolds number (Re)
Al2O3 Co3O4
0.01
0.25 2956.81 2983.57
0.5 5845.48 5899.88
0.75 8773.23 8892.02
0.1
0.25 2915.16 2964.52
0.5 5761.23 5860.80
0.75 8539.33 8832.13
0.2
0.25 2809.47 2941.67
0.5 5611.77 5818.27
0.75 8332.35 8716.06
Table.5 Reynolds number of nanofluids

46. 46
Conc %
Mass flow rate
(Kg/S)
Nusselt number (Nu)
Al2O3 Co3O4
0.01
0.25 22.66026 22.85459
0.5 48.24365 48.53656
0.75 71.18808 71.84580
0.1
0.25 22.40178 22.66364
0.5 47.89507 48.20502
0.75 69.94300 71.37860
0.2
0.25 21.49353 22.43447
0.5 46.98970 47.84314
0.75 68.87459 70.48683
Table.6 Nusselt number of nanofluids

47. 47
Conc %
Mass flow rate
(Kg/S)
Effectiveness (ε)
Al2O3 Co3O4
0.01
0.25 0.56233 0.56213
0.5 0.41746 0.41786
0.75 0.49820 0.49877
0.1
0.25 0.56213 0.56373
0.5 0.41700 0.41886
0.75 0.49659 0.49735
0.2
0.25 0.56280 0.56520
0.5 0.41700 0.41993
0.75 0.49512 0.49616
Table.7 Effectiveness of nanofluids

48. 48
Conc %
Mass flow rate
(Kg/S)
Friction Factor (f)
Al2O3 Co3O4
0.01
0.25 0.01289 0.01285
0.5 0.01023 0.01020
0.75 0.00902 0.00898
0.1
0.25 0.01295 0.01288
0.5 0.01028 0.01022
0.75 0.00909 0.00900
0.2
0.25 0.01313 0.01291
0.5 0.01037 0.01025
0.75 0.00916 0.00904
Table.8 Friction Factor of nanofluids

49. 49
Fig. 11. Percentage decrease in friction factor in variation with the concentration
of Cobalt Oxide at different mass flow rates
Mass Flow Rate

50. 50
Fig. 12. Percentage increase in Nusselt number with variation of Reynold’s
number at different mass flow rates
Concentration

51. 51
Fig. 13. Percentage improvement of effectiveness with variation of Reynold’s number
at different mass flow rates
Concentration

52. 52
Fig. 14. Percentage increase in Nusselt number with variation of concentration of
Cobalt Oxide at different mass flow rates
Mass Flow Rate

53. 53
Fig. 15. Percentage improvement in effectiveness with variation of concentration of Cobalt
Oxide at different mass flow rates
Mass Flow Rate

54. CONCLUSION
◼ Cobalt Oxide nanofluid causes positive effect on Nusselt Number, Effectiveness and
Friction Factor
◼ The improvements can be useful in high performance systems where small increases
are vital
54

55. 55
1. Wagd Ajeeb, Renato R.S. Thieleke da Silva, S.M. Sohel Murshed, (2023) Experimental investigation of
heat transfer performance of Al2O3 nanofluids in a compact plate heat exchanger, Applied Thermal
Engineering, 119321.
2. Shaojie Zhang, Lin Lu, Tao Wen, Chuanshuai Dong (2021) Turbulent heat transfer and flow analysis of
hybrid Al2O3-CuO/water nanofluid: An experiment and CFD simulation study, Applied Thermal
Engineering 116589.
3. Ashraf Mimi Elsaid (2019) Experimental study on the heat transfer performance and friction factor
characteristics of Co3O4 and Al2O3 based H2O/(CH2OH)2 nanofluids in a vehicle engine radiator,
International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 104263.
4. Su Qian, Chang Shinan, Song Mengjie, Zhao Yuanyuan, Dang Chaobin (2019) An experimental study on
the heat transfer performance of a loop heat pipe system with ethanol-water mixture as working fluid for
aircraft anti-icing, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 280-292
REFERENCES

56. 56
5. Rasoul Fallahzadeh, Latif Aref, Nabiollah Gholamiarjenaki, Zeinab Nonejad, Mohammadreza Saghi
(2020) Experimental investigation of the effect of using water and ethanol as working fluid on the
performance of pyramid-shaped solar still integrated with heat pipe solar collector, Solar Energy,10-21.
6. Jie Yang, Anthony Jacobi, Wei Liu, (2016) Heat transfer correlations for single-phase flow in plate heat
exchangers based on experimental data, Applied Thermal Engineering, 1547-1557.
7. Salman Al Zahrani, Mohammad S Islam and Suvash C Saha (2021) Heat transfer enhancement of
modified flat plate heat exchanger, Applied Thermal Engineering, 116533.
8. A. Bhattad, J. Sarkar and P. Ghosh (2019) Experimentation on effect of particle ratio on hydrothermal
performance of plate heat exchanger using hybrid nano fluid, Applied Thermal Engineering, 114309.
REFERENCES

57. 57
9. S Savithiri, Arvind Pattamatta and Sarit K Das (2011) Open Access Scaling analysis for the investigation
of slip mechanisms in nanofluids, Nanoscale Research Letters, 6:471.
10. TVR Sekhara, Gopal Nandan, Ravi Prakash, Marisamy Muthuraman (2018) Investigations on Viscosity
and Thermal Conductivity of Cobalt oxide- water Nano fluid, Materials Today: Proceedings, 5, 6176–
6182.
11. https://www.wermac.org/equipment/plateheatexchanger.html
REFERENCES

58. THANK YOU
58