Heat transfer and entropy generation analysis of Cu-water nanofluid in a vertical channel

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze heat transfer and entropy generation of a Cu-water nanofluid in a vertical channel. The channel walls are maintained at a hot temperature Tw. An up flow penetrates the channel at a uniform velocity v(0) and a cold temperature T-0 (T-0 < T-w). The effects of Reynolds number Re, Grashof number Gr and solid volume fraction on streamlines, isotherms, entropy generation, friction factor, local and mean Nusselt numbers are evaluated. Design/methodology/approach The Cu-water nanofluid is used in this study. The software Ansys-fluent 14.5, based on the finite-volume method and SIMPLE algorithm, is used to simulate the mixed convection problem with entropy generation in a vertical channel. Findings The results show that the increase of Reynolds and Grashof numbers and solid volume fraction improves heat transfer and reduces entropy generation. Correlations for the mean Nusselt number and friction factor in terms of Reynolds number and solid volume fraction are obtained. The present results are compared with those found in the literature, which reveal a very good agreement. Originality/value The originality of this work is to understand the heat transfer and entropy generation for mixed convection of a Cu-water nanofluid in a vertical channel.