A Critical Review on Applications of Nano-Fluid as Coolant

A Nanofluid is a fluid that contains nanometer-sized particles, which are known as nanoparticles. Nanofluids are diluted liquid suspensions of nanoparticles in base fluid. Commonly used base is water and ethylene glycol^. These particles are typically of metals, oxides, nanofibers and nanotubes. Nanofluids have the best property of heat transfer and thermal conductivities. This review article focuses on the research carried out on enhancement of thermal and operating physical property of nanofluids. Nanocoolants are used in many applications for better heat transfer process. As the demand of automobile vehicles is increasing, it is major concern to provide an efficient and economical engine. The performance of an engine depends on various systems like fuel supply system, lubrication system, transmission system, cooling system and many more. For efficient working of an engine it plays an important role to carry large amount of heat waste to surroundings. It improves heat transfer and fuel economy of an engine which leads to maximize the performance. By maximizing the heat transfer area and increasing the heat transfer coefficient, the heat transfer through radiator can be improved. The heat transfer coefficient can be increased either by using more efficient heat transfer methods or by improving the thermo physical properties of the heat transfer material i.e. coolant. Here popularly used nanoparticle by researchers for coolant preparation as CuO, Al₂O₃, ZnO, SiO TiO₂ and also other miscellaneous nano particles are discussed. This comprehensive study on cooling system importance, coolant used in automobiles and its limitations and applications and challenges of Nanofluids as a coolant have been compiled and reviewed for automobile radiator.