Enhancing surface heat transfer by carbon nanofins: towards an alternative to nanofluids?
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nanofluids are suspensions of nanoparticles and fibers which have recently attracted much attention because of their superior thermal properties. Nevertheless, it was proven that, due to modest dispersion of nanoparticles, such high...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SpringerOpen
2011-01-01
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| Series: | Nanoscale Research Letters |
| Online Access: | http://www.nanoscalereslett.com/content/6/1/249 |
| Summary: | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nanofluids are suspensions of nanoparticles and fibers which have recently attracted much attention because of their superior thermal properties. Nevertheless, it was proven that, due to modest dispersion of nanoparticles, such high expectations often remain unmet. In this article, by introducing the notion of <it>nanofin</it>, a possible solution is envisioned, where nanostructures with high aspect-ratio are sparsely attached to a solid surface (to avoid a significant disturbance on the fluid dynamic structures), and act as efficient thermal bridges within the boundary layer. As a result, particles are only needed in a small region of the fluid, while dispersion can be controlled in advance through design and manufacturing processes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Toward the end of implementing the above idea, we focus on single carbon nanotubes to enhance heat transfer between a surface and a fluid in contact with it. First, we investigate the thermal conductivity of the latter nanostructures by means of classical non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. Next, thermal conductance at the interface between a single wall carbon nanotube (nanofin) and water molecules is assessed by means of both steady-state and transient numerical experiments.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Numerical evidences suggest a pretty favorable thermal boundary conductance (order of 10<sup>7 </sup>W·m<sup>-2</sup>·K<sup>-1</sup>) which makes carbon nanotubes potential candidates for constructing <it>nanofinned surfaces</it>.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1931-7573 1556-276X |