Performance evaluation of car radiator using nano fluids

The use of Nano-fluids for improving heat transfer performance has received great attention in recent years. This study is aimed at improving the performance of Car radiator using three different nano-fluids namely urea – liquid (1280 kg/m³ 2375 J/kg.K, 0.5 W/(m.K) and 0.0023 kg/(m.s), Ethylene-glycol (1111.4 kg/m³, 2415 J/kg.K, 0.252 W/(m.K) and 0.0157 kg/(m.s) and Water – liquid (998.2 kg/m³, 4182 J/kg.K, 0.6 W/m.K and 0.001003 kg/(m.s) under atmospheric conditions of Kano City. The atmospheric temperature is the most important data in this study; hence such data for Kano was used in the simulation set – up. By using SolidWorks, the Honda Civic 2000 model radiator of 320 mm height and 350 mm length was re-modeled and the simulation was analyzed using ANSYS. In this work, the outlet temperature of the coolant tested in radiators, with and without fins, over a 12-months period were recorded. It was found that, 25 % decrease in the outlet temperature was recorded when the fins were attached to the radiator. In addition, the cooling capacity increased significantly from 45 % to 77 %. Ethylene-glycol was found be the most recommended Nano-fluid for Kano City with a radiator without fins, whereas, Urea Liquid is preferred for a radiator with fins.