A new model for Brownian force and the application to simulating nanofluid flow

A new expression is proposed to simulate Brownian force based on the experimental measurement results of Brownian motion, which follows white Gaussian noise process. As the time t → 0 and the particle density is equal to the fluid density, the new expression approaches the classical formula of the model used by many researchers. The modified model is validated by theoretical and experimental data. On the other hand, as it origins from the unbalanced force exerted by surrounding fluid molecules, the drag analogy force model is constructed describing the Brownian force, which depends on size-related statistical velocity. Thus, a different expression for the Langevin equation is presented. The present model is applied in simulating flow and heat transfer in a channel utilizing alumina–water nanofluid. Navier–Stokes equations with modified source terms for the continuous flow have been discretized using finite element method. The velocities and temperatures of nanoparticles are determined in the Lagrangian reference frame. The simulation results show that the distribution of nanoparticles inside the channel is obviously unsteady and nonuniform. The fluid velocity and temperature profiles show significant fluctuation feature at low Reynolds numbers (Re). The impact of Brownian motion on the fluid flow is analyzed quantitatively. We have found that for Re < 0.06, the affected intensity increases rapidly.