Numerical Prediction of Laminar Nanofluid Flow in Rectangular Microchannel Heat Sink

S. B. Abubakar; N. A. Che Sidik

Authors

S. B. Abubakar Department of Thermo-Fluids, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Bahru
N. A. Che Sidik Department of Thermo-Fluids, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Bahru

Abstract

This paper present the effect of using magnetic nanofluid inthree dimensional (3D) straight rectangular microchannel heat sink with single phase approach which is investigated numerically. In this study, the behaviour and effect of using pure water and magnetic nanofluid (Fe3O4-H2O) as cooling fluids is examined. The Fe3O4 magnetic nano particles with an average diameter of 13nm dispersed in water with four volume fractions (0, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8). The 3-D steady laminar flow and heat transfer governing equations are solved using ANSYS FLUENT. The result of the present work reveal that increasing the volume fractions provide a better heat transfer enhancement and increasing the Reynolds number caused an increase in volume fraction. Highestnusselt number has been observed as the fluid enters the channel inlet. This could be anticipated as a result of the development of thermal entry region at the channel and the value of the Nusselt number tend to stabilize after fully develop region has been
achieved.