An experimental and numerical study of heat transfer in jacketed vessels by SiO2 nanofluid

In the present investigation both numerical and experimental studies have been performed for SiO2/water nanofluid in different concentrations in the jacket side of a reactor that was equipped with a conventional jacket without baffle. Heat transfer rates were measured for nanofluid and base liquid. In order to solve the continuity, momentum, energy and turbulence equations, finite volume method and k–e turbulence model were utilized in three dimensions. For very dilute nanofluids (<0.1% volume fraction) no heat transfer enhancement was observed. For greater concentrations heat transfer rates augmented to some extent. Nusselt number increased with increasing the nanofluid concentration as well as Reynolds number. By using the least square method to all the experimental data two correlations for water and nanofluid were obtained.