Recent Advancements in the Development of Nanofluid Technology in Heat Transfer Applications

Abstract

The development of nanofluid technology has created a niche and instigated a new area of novel researches into the enhancement of heat transmittance and transport properties of conventional working fluids with various nanoparticle types in various heat exchange applications, due to the poor thermal performance of conventional fluids. From the development of single nanofluids, to hybrid nanofluids, to the use of surface active agents and stabilizers in ensuring homogenous dispersion and chemical stability, to the use of turbulence promoters with nanofluid, all these were presented as novel developments arising from continuous investigations and study into the heat enhancement performance of different nanoparticle morphology, size, volumetric concentration etc. Thus the subject of this review work is to provide a key insight into the recent advances in the development and utilization of nanotechnology in enhancing heat transfer and transport properties by summarizing progress in the made in the development of nanofluids for the last five years.