Experimental studies using non-Newtonian nanofluid of SiO2-water-eutectic solvent in a plate heat exchanger

The plate heat exchanger is one of the smallest and most efficient heat exchangers on the market. This experiment aims to assess the performance of eutectic solvent-water as a base fluid in a plate heat exchanger. For this study, silicon oxide (SiO2) nanoparticles are synthesized from sugar bagasse and rice husk, using the sol-gel method. SiO2 nanoparticles were used in various ratios (0.15 vol.%, 0.3 vol.%, 0.45 vol.%, 0.6 vol.%, and 0.75 vol.%) in a base fluid (15 vol.% eutectic solvent and 85 vol.% water) to prepare a nanofluid. At three different temperatures, such as 323 and 343 K, with varying flow rates (2-8 L/min) and varying nanoparticle concentrations (0.15 % to 0.75 %), heat transfer studies were performed, and the results are presented. There was a notable enhancement in the overall heat transfer coefficient by the combination of SiO2 nanoparticles and an eutectic solvent-water-based fluid. It was noted that utilizing the SiO2/eutectic solvent-water nanofluid could significantly reduce the temperature gradient in the heat exchanger and improve its performance. The maximum overall heat transfer coefficient noted was 3162.5 W/m?K at 0.6 % volume fraction of nanoparticles, with a flow rate of 8 L/min at a temperature of 343 K.