Thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity measurements of Al2O3 nanofluids

A study of thermal properties of CuO dispersed in water and ethylene glycol as a function of the particle volume fraction and at temperatures between 298 and 338 K has been performed. Thermal conductivities have been studied by the steady-state coaxial cylinders method, using a C80D microcalorimeter (Setaram, France) equipped with special calorimetric vessels. Heat capacities have been measured with a Micro DSC II microcalorimeter (Setaram, France) with batch cells designed in our laboratory and the “scanning or continuous method.” Results for thermal conductivities can be well justified using a classical model (Hamilton–Crosser), and experimental measurements of heat capacities can be justified with a model of particles in thermal equilibrium with the base fluid.