Active method for nanofluid heat transfer enhancement by means of EHD

In this article, impact of Coulomb force on nanofluid forced convective heat transfer is examined using Fe3O4-Ethylene glycol nanofluid. The bottom lid wall is considered as positive electrode. Control Volume based Finite Element Method is selected to obtain the outputs which are the roles of volume fraction of Fe3O4 (phi), Reynolds number (Re) and supplied voltage (Delta phi). Nanofluid viscosity is considered as function of electric field according to previous experimental data. Results indicate that Coulomb force helps the convention mode so temperature gradient enhance by augment of supplied voltage. Temperature gradient over the positive electrode augments with augment of Re and Delta phi. Applying Coulomb force is more useful for low values of Reynolds number. Enhancing in Nusselt number due to existence of electric field is highest at low lid velocity. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.