The effect of nanoparticles on laminar heat transfer in a horizontal tube

Heat transfer coefficient in laminar flow of water-based alumina, titania and carbon nanotube nanofluids in a straight pipe with constant heat flux at the wall have been investigated independently by two universities. The nanoparticles affect the thermo-physical properties of the suspensions, however, nanopartides presence and movement due to Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis seemed to have insignificant effect on heat transfer coefficient. The Nusselt number of all investigated nanofluids followed standard heat transfer correlations developed for liquids within +/- 10% suggesting that all investigated nanofluids can be treated as homogenous fluids. Different methods of comparison between heat transfer coefficient in nanofluids and base fluid are also critically discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.