Experimental evaluation of friction factor and heat transfer enhancement of twisted tape inserts using TiO2–water nanofluids

Abstract

This paper studies the experimental evaluation of TiO₂ nanofluids in enhancing the heat transfer rate and friction factor on a micro-finned tube fitted with twisted tape inserts. Results show that the enhancement in heat transfer and pumping power completely depends on the concentration ratio of nanoparticles, pitch ratio and the type of pitch. Comparisons were made with the previous study with different operating parameters such as twist ratio and twist type. Viscosity of nanofluid increases with an increase in the concentration, which leads to increased pressure drop and pumping power. For the Reynolds number (Re = 4000), the maximum performance ratio was found as 2.1, 2, for concentration of 0.1 and 0.05, respectively. The addition of microfin arrangement inside the circular tube enhanced the performance ratio with minimum concentration of TiO₂ nanofluid.