Influence of copper oxide nanoparticles on the thermophysical properties and performance of flat tube of vehicle cooling system

Abstract The main aim of the present work is to study the effect of copper oxide nanofluids on heat transfer and pressure drop performance of flat tube used in vehicle cooling system. The water based copper oxide nanofluids were prepared at different concentrations (0.1–0.5% v/v). The heat transfer and pressure drop performance was experimentally studied at various input parameters, i.e., velocity, fluid inlet temperature and nanofluids concentration. The results showed that Nusselt number increased with increase in nanofluids concentration, nanofluid temperature and Reynolds number. The pressure drop increased with nanofluids concentration and Reynolds number but slightly decreased with increase in nanofluid temperature. The maximum enhancement observed was 20% with 0.5% v/v concentration of copper oxide nanoparticles.