Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
11
Nanofluids including ceramic and other
nanoparticles: synthesis and thermal
properties
G . PAUL , Indian Institute of Technology, India and
I . MANNA , CSIR-Central Glass and Ceramic Research
Institute, India
Abstract: This chapter reports the detailed study on the synthesis of
nanofluids comprising very low concentrations of nanometric metallic or
ceramic particles, rods, tubes, etc. The most common ways of preparing
nanofluids are the one-step and two-step methods. While the one-step
approach usually yields more stable nanofluids, the two-step method is
more versatile as it provides the opportunity to disperse a wide variety of
nanoparticles in different types of base fluids. However, the main focus
of this chapter is on the thermal conductivity of nanofluids, which is the
most researched aspect of nanofluids worldwide. An insight into the
different parameters that influence the thermal conductivity of nanofluids
is presented. In addition to experimental work, the theories used to try to
analyze the cause of the anomalous increase in thermal conductivity are
also presented.
Key words: nanofluids, thermal conductivity, synthesis, one-step method,
two-step method, concentration, temperature, particle size.
11.1
Introduction
Since the pioneering work of Maxwell (1904), there have been several
attempts to enhance the thermal properties of fluids by adding solid
particles. However, these slurries posed problems of clogging and abrasion
of the channels through which the fluid flowed. Recent advances in
nanotechnology have made it possible to produce nanometer-sized particles
that can overcome these problems. More than a decade ago it was
