Single-phase heat transfer of CuO/water nanofluids in micro-fin tube equipped with dual twisted-tapes

The combined effects of nanofluids, dual twisted-tapes (DTs) and a micro-fin tube (MF) on the heat transfer rate, friction factor and thermal performance factor characteristics have been investigated. Nanofluids consisting of CuO and water at CuO concentrations between 0.3% and 1.0% by volume, were utilized as working fluids in the MF equipped with DTs, for Reynolds number between 5650 and 17,000. The experiments using the MF alone as well as the MF equipped with a single twisted tape (ST), were also conducted for comparison. The experimental results revealed that the heat transfer rate increased with increasing nanofluid concentration. At similar operating conditions, the micro-fin tube equipped with dual twisted-tapes (MF-DTs) consistently gave superior thermal performance factor to the one equipped with a single twisted-tape (MF-ST) as well as the micro-fin tube alone (MF). For all cases, thermal performance factors were apparently above unity. This indicates the beneficial effect for the energy saving by the uses of the combined techniques.