Nanofins as a Means of Enhancing Heat Transfer: Leading Order Results

• Published in: Transport in porous media Vol. 89; no. 2; pp. 165 - 183
• Main Author: Vadasz, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.09.2011; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Civil Engineering; Classical and Continuum Physics; Design engineering; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Fins; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences; Heat transfer; Hydrocarbons; Hydrogeology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Hydrology/Water Resources; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Nanocomposites; Nanofluids; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; Pollution, environment geology; Porous media; Sedimentary rocks; Solid surfaces; Thermal conductivity; Wire; Porous media; Effective thermal conductivity; Nanofins; Transient hot wire; Nanofluids; solution; metals; transport; thermal conductivity; porous media; heat transfer; methodology; suspension
• DOI: 10.1007/s11242-011-9763-4
• ISSN: 0169-3913

The porous media approach is being adapted to a system of nanoparticles that are attached to a solid surface (a metal wire) embedded into a stagnant fluid, forming by design nanofins around the wire. The analyzed system resembles the Transient Hot Wire experimental method used in evaluating the thermal conductivity of a fluid or nanofluid suspensions. Since the attachment of the nanoparticles to the wire is done by design (as distinct from uncontrolled agglomeration around the wire), one major objective in such a design is attempting to enhance the heat transfer from the wire. The latter objective is analyzed via a short times approximation of the solution. Preliminary results based on the leading order solution shows that such a heat transfer enhancement is indeed possible and presents major advantages compared to commonly used macro-fins.