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Nano Coolants for Automotive Applications: A Review

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 Nano Trends: A Journal of Nanotechnology and Its Applications
Volume 20, Issue 1, ISSN: 0973-418X (Online)

Nano Coolants for Automotive Applications: A Review

Gaurav Saxena*, Poonam Soni
Department of Automobile Engineering, RustamJi Institute of Technology, Border Security Force
Academy, Tekanpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract
In recent decades nano coolant has come into play to overcome requirement of better heat
transfer because of low thermal conductivity of conventional fluid such as water and ethylene
glycol. In the continuation of nano fluids research, presently researchers have also used
hybrid nano fluid, which are synthesized by suspending dissimilar nano particles either in
mixture or composite form. This article is focused on the experimental and numerical studies
carried out by previous researchers on metallic/non-metallic oxide nano coolant, which are
segregated with different nano coolant as CuO, Al2O3, TiO2, and SiO2. The review focuses on
suitable volumetric concentration, sizes of nano particles used by researchers and
applications for analysis. This review will be useful for researchers and scholars working in
the field of applications of nano technology for enhancement of heat transfer fluid. However,
lots of researcher work is still needed in the field of preparation and stability, characterization
and applications to overcome the challenges.

Keywords: Heat transfer enhancement, CuO, Al2O3, TiO2, SiO2 nano particle

*Author for Correspondence E-mail: gauravsaxena@rjit.org

INTRODUCTION base fluids are water, ethylene glycol and oil.

Nano particles are the particles that range Types of nano coolant with general
between 1 and 100 nano metres (nm) in size. classification are described in Table 1.
In nano technology, a particle is defined as a
small object that behaves as a whole unit with Table 1: Types of Nano Coolant.
respect to its transport and properties. Choi [1] Nano Particle
first used the term “nano fluid” for fluids with Base Fluid Metallic Surfactant
suspended nano particles. Kim et al. [2] Metallic Carbon
Oxide
experimentally investigated the effect of
Water Cu Al2O3 SWNT SDS
convective heat transfer in nano fluids under
Ethylene
laminar and turbulent flow regimes. However, Fe CuO MWNT CTAB
Glycol
surprisingly, a few researchers have found Engine Oil Au TiO2 Fullerene Gum Arbic
insignificant improvement of thermal
Actone Ag SiO2* Graphine NADDABS
conductivity as shown by Putnam et al. [3],
Zhang et al. [4], Eapen et al. [5] and Decane Si ZrO2 CMC
Timofeeva [6]. Recently, Annamareddy * Metalloid Oxide
Srikanth et al. [7] have provided an excellent
review on the effects of several parameters to APPLICATIONS OF NANO
determine the effective thermal conductivity of COOLANT
nano fluids. Nano coolants are considered to be an
alternate and new generation liquids for
TYPES OF NANO COOLANT transport of heat energy and can be employed
The nano particles used in nano coolant are as heat transfer fluids in heat exchangers in
typically made of metals, oxides, carbides, or place of pure single-phase fluids. The
carbon nano tubes. They can be classified as applications of nano coolant heat transfer
metallic, metallic/non-metallic oxides, carbon include radiators in automotive, chemical
nano tube, nano droplets, which are currently engineering and process industries, solar water
used with base fluids to enhance the thermal heater, refrigeration, cooling of electronic
performance of the cooling systems. Common devices. The main objective of obtaining heat

©NSTC (2018) 9-22 © STM Journals 2018. All Rights Reserved Page 9
Nano Coolants for Automotive Applications: A Review
transfer enhancement using nano coolant is to
accommodate high heat fluxes and hence to
reduce the cost and size of the radiator which
in turn results in conservation of energy and
material. Figure 1 [34] shows application of
nano fluid in different field.
METHODS FOR PREPARATION OF
NANO COOLANT
Presently in radiators application there are two
popular methods:
• Two Step Method: This is the most
common and extensively used method for
preparation of nano coolant. In this
method, firstly nano powder is made by
different methods through inert-gas
condensation (IGC), mechanical grinding,
chemical vapour deposition (CVD),
chemical emulsion; and then it is dispersed
into base fluid with the aid of magnetic
stirrer, ultra-sonication and intensive
magnetic force agitation. Surfactants can
be added to improve the dispersion.
• Single Step Method: In this process, nano
particles are prepared and dissolve directly
Fig. 1: Application of Nano Fluid in Different Field
©NSTC (2018) 9-22 © STM Journals 2018. All Rights Reserved
Saxena and Soni
into host fluid simultaneously. Single step
method is advanced from two step
methods.
Figure 2, shows the flow chart of the chemical
solution method (CSM), Wang Liqiu et al. [8].
The reaction between reactants A and B in the
liquid phase yields the solution or colloid
containing the precursor C. The additives (e.g.,
ammonium citrate or cetyltrimethyl
ammonium bromide) are then added into the
solution/colloid. Finally, the solution/colloid
of the precursor C transforms into nano fluid
D (e.g., CuO-particles-in-water) under
ultrasonic or/and microwave irradiation.
Precursor C normally exists in the form of
solution or colloid and is not, in general, the
nano particle in the nano fluid D. Its solution
or colloid can directly transform into the
required nano coolant with the help of
additives and external fields such as ultrasonic
and microwave irradiation. Both the additives
and the external fields are used to prevent nano
particles from agglomeration and growth and
thus control nano fluid microstructures.
Page 10
 Nano Trends: A Journal of Nanotechnology and Its Applications
Volume 20, Issue 1, ISSN: 0973-418X (Online)
Fig. 2: Chemical Solution Method (CSM) for Synthesis of Nano fluids: Flow Chart [8].
THEORETICAL MODELS FOR
THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES
The necessary thermo physical properties are
density, viscosity, specific heat and thermal
conductivity. Density (ρnf) and special heat
capacity (Cpnf) of nanofluid have been define
based on empirical correlations proposed by
Pak [9] and Xuan [10] as follows:
ρnf = (1 − φ )ρbf + φρp (1)
Cnf =φρp+ (1−φ)ρbfcbf/ρnf (2)
Where f is nano particle volume concentration
and ρp, ρbf and Cp,Cbf are the densities and the
specific heats of the nanoparticles and base
fluid, respectively. Also, thermal conductivity
(knf) and viscosity (μnf) for nanofluid have
been estimated based on two semi-empirical
equations presented by M. Eftekhar [11] in
2013 on the basis of a wide variety of
experimental date available in the literature as
following equations:
Knf = [Kp+ n−1 Kbf −φ n−1 (Kbf −Kp ) /Kp+
n−1 Kbf −φ n−1 (Kbf −Kp )]× Kbf (3)
µnf=µbf× [1/(1−φ)2] (4)
PREVIOUS RESEARCH ON
APPLICATION OF METALLIC/NON-
METALLIC OXIDE BASED
COOLANT
A significant amount of research has been
conducted on nano coolant within last decades
including preparation, characterization,
modeling, convective and boiling heat transfer
and applications of the research works were
focused mainly on water and ethylene glycol
based nano coolant, very few reports of the
synthesis of oil-based nanofluids have been
found. Xuan and Li [12] found that oil based
nano fluids exhibited better enhancement of
©NSTC (2018) 9-22 © STM Journals 2018. All Rights Reserved
heat transfer characteristics compared to water
based nano fluids, and that the viscosity of the
oil could be crucial for the dispersion and
stability of nano fl and. Hwang et al. [13] have
also showed similar conclusion that a higher
thermal conductivity enhancement can be
obtained if a base fluid of lower thermal
conductivity is used. Therefore, oil-based nano
fluid [13] containing carbon nanotubes, TiO2,
CuO, Al2O3, TiO2 and SiO2, for industrial and
engineering applications, have attracted some
more attention in recent years. Previous
researches has shown that metallic/non-
metallic oxide nano particles has better
thermal conductivity in comparison of metallic
nano particle thus this research is going to be
focused on metallic/non-metallic oxide nano
coolant.
Review on Al2O3 based Nano Coolants
Chavan Durgesh Kumar (2013) [14], worked
on forced convective heat transfer in an
Al2O3/water nanofluid. An experimental
comparison of results is made with that of pure
water in automobile radiator. Five different
concentrations of nanofluids in the range of 0–
1.0 vol. % were prepared by the addition of
Al2O3 nanoparticles into the water. The test
fluid flows through the automobile radiator
consisted of 33 vertical tubes with elliptical
cross section and air makes a cross flow inside
the tube bank with constant speed. The test
fluid flow rates were changed in the range of 3
LPM to 8 LPM to have fully turbulent regime.
Obtained results demonstrate that increasing
the fluid circulating rate can improve the heat
transfer performance. The application of the
nanofluid with low concentration can enhance
heat transfer efficiency up to 40–45% in
comparison with pure water. Figure 3 shows
effect of volume concentration on physical
properties of nano fluids.
Page 11
Nano Coolants for Automotive Applications: A Review
Ali M. et al. (2016) [15], worked on forced
convective heat transfer, which is applied to
vehicles radiator filled with Al2O3 water
nanofluid with different concentrations i.e.
0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% by volume.
The experiments are done for three cases, each
case corresponds to different heat load, coolant
flow rate, and air flow rate to simulate the
vehicle engine cooling system at various loads
relevant to the cooling system of Toyota Yaris
2007. The coolant and air heat transfer
coefficients, Nusselt numbers, heat rate lost by
the coolant and absorbed by the air, heat
exchanger effectiveness, overall heat transfer
coefficients, Reynolds number, and the
pumping power are calculated. Log mean
temperature difference (LMTD) and
effectiveness-number of transfer units (𝜀-
NTU) are used to determine the outside air
heat transfer coefficient. Results showed that
heat transfer by the coolant increases as the
nanofluid concentration increases up to 𝜙=
0.01 by volume, where it reaches to its
optimum value. The theoretical models used
by the researcher are:
𝜌 = 𝜙𝜌𝑝 + (1 −𝜙)
𝐶 = 𝜙𝜌𝑝𝐶𝑝 + (1 −𝜙)/𝜌
𝑘 = (1 + 4.5503𝜙)
𝜇 = 𝜇𝑏exp (4.91𝜙 /0.2092 −𝜙)
where, 𝜙 is the nano particles volumetric
concentration.
Nieh Hwa-Ming et al. (2014) [16], worked on
alumina (Al2O3) and Titania (TiO2) Nano-
coolant (NC) to enhance the heat dissipation
performance of an air-cooled radiator. The
two-step synthesis method is used to produce
different concentrations of Al2O3 and
TiO2/water (W) nano fluid by using a 0.2 wt.%
chitosan dispersant, and the nano fluid is
mixed with ethylene glycol (EG) at a 1:1
volume ratio to form six samples from NC1 to
NC6. The experiments were conducted to
measure the thermal conductivity, viscosity,
and specific heat of the NC with different
concentrations of nanoparticles and sample
temperatures, and then the NC was used in an
air-cooled radiator to evaluate its heat
dissipation capacity, pressure drop, and
pumping power under different volumetric
flow rates and heating temperatures. Lastly,
study evaluated the relationship of the heat
©NSTC (2018) 9-22 © STM Journals 2018. All Rights Reserved
Saxena and Soni
dissipation capacity and pumping power by
using the efficiency factor (EF). The
experiment resulted that the heat dissipation
capacity and the EF of the NC are higher than
EG/W. The maximum enhanced ratios of the
heat dissipation capacity, pressure drop,
pumping power, and EF for all the
experimental parameters are approximately
25.6%, 6.1%, 2.5%, and 27.2%, respectively,
compared with EG/W. Figure 4 shows thermal
conductivity ratio of samples at various
temperatures and concentrations.
Chougule Sandesh S. (2014) [17] conducted
study on the forced convective heat transfer
performance of two different nano fluids,
namely, Al2O3-water and CNT-water in an
automobile radiator. Four different
concentrations of nano fluid in the range of
0.15–1 vol. % were prepared by the additions
of nano particles into the water as base fluid.
The coolant flow rate is varied in the range of
2 LPM–5 LPM. Nano fluids exhibit enormous
change in the heat transfer compared with the
pure water. The heat transfer performance of
CNT-water nano fluid was found to be better
than Al2O3-water nano coolant. Furthermore,
the Nusselt number is found to increase with
the increase in the nano particle concentration
and nano fluid velocity. Comparative analyses
of variation in Nusselt number with respect to
coolant flow rate as shown in Figure 5.
Elias M.M. et al. (2014) [18], presented new
findings on the thermal conductivity, viscosity,
density, and specific heat of Al2O3
nanoparticles dispersed into water and
ethylene glycol based coolant used in car
radiator. The nanofluids were prepared by the
two-step method by using an ultrasonic
homogenizer with no surfactants. Thermal
conductivity, viscosity, density, and specific
heat have been measured at different volume
concentrations (i.e. 0–1 vol.%) of
nanoparticles and various temperature ranges
(i.e. from 10°C to 50°C). It was found that
thermal conductivity, viscosity, and density of
the nanofluid increased with the increase of
volume concentrations. However, the specific
heat of nanofluid was found to be decreased
with the increase of nanoparticle volume
concentrations.
Page 12
 Nano Trends: A Journal of Nanotechnology and Its Applications
Volume 20, Issue 1, ISSN: 0973-418X (Online)

Peyghambarzadeh S.M. et al. (2011) [19],
experimentally studied five different
concentrations of Al2O3 nano fluids in the
range of 0.1-1 vol.% into the water. The test
liquid flows through the radiator consisting of
34 vertical tubes with elliptical cross section
and air makes a cross flow inside the tube
bank with constant speed. Liquid flow rate has
been changed in the range of 2–5 LPM to have
the fully turbulent regime (9x103 < Re<
2.3x104). Additionally, the effect of fluid inlet
temperature to the radiator on heat transfer
coefficient has also been analyzed by varying
the temperature in the range of 37–49°C.
Results demonstrated that increasing the fluid
circulating rate can improve the heat transfer
performance while the fluid inlet temperature
to the radiator has trivial effects.
fluid inlet temperature changed for all the
experiments. The results demonstrate that
nano fluids clearly enhance heat transfer
compared to their own base fluid. In the best
conditions, the heat transfer enhancement of
about 40% compared to the base fluids has
been recorded. Detailed Overview of
significant researches carried out on
Experimental studies of Al2O3 are
summarized with respect to Size, Volumetric
Concentration and Outcomes in Table 2.

Peyghambarzadeh S.M. et al. (2011) [20],

compared the heat transfer performance of
pure water and pure EG with their binary
mixtures. Furthermore, different amounts of
Al2O3 nanoparticle have been added into these
base fluids and its effects on the heat transfer
performance of the car radiator were
determined experimentally. Liquid flow rate Fig. 3: Effect of Volume Concentration on
was changed in the range of 2–6 LPM with the Physical Properties of Nano Fluids [14].

Fig. 4: Thermal Conductivity Ratio of Samples at Various Temperatures and Concentrations [16].

©NSTC (2018) 9-22 © STM Journals 2018. All Rights Reserved Page 13
Nano Coolants for Automotive Applications: A Review Saxena and Soni

Fig. 5: Comparison of Nusselt Number Variation for Nano Coolant at 1 vol. % [17].

Table 2: Summary of Experimental Studies on Al2O3 Based Nano Coolant.

S. Author Nano Coolant Size Volumetric Outcomes
No. Concentration
1 Chavan Base Fluid-water 20 nm 0–1% 40–45% heat transfer enhancement, increase
Durgeshkumar Nano Particle-Al2O3 turbulence.
(2013) [14]
2 Ali M. et al. Base Fluid-water >100 nm 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, (a) Heat transfer coefficient achieved its maximum
(2016) [15] Nano Particle-Al2O3 2% at 1 vol.% of nanoparticle concentration.
(b) The maximum enhancement of coolant heat
transfer rate, heat transfer coefficient, and Nusselt
number was 14.79%, 14.72%, and 9.51%,
respectively.
3 Nieh Hwa-Ming Base Fluid-EG/water Al2O3-10- 1:1 (a) The thermal conductivity of Al2O3 nano coolant
et al. (2014) [16] (50 vol.% of EG), 20 nm and TiO2 nano coolant was similar and about 24–
Nano Particle-Al2O3 TiO2-20- 39% higher than EG/water at all nanoparticle
Base Fluid-EG/water 30 nm concentrations.
(50 vol.% of EG) (b) Maximum efficiency factor was 27.2% using
Nano Particle-TiO2 TiO2–EG/water with 2.0 vol.% nanoparticle
concentration whereas it is 14.4% using Al2O3–
EG/water with 2.0 vol.% nanoparticle
concentration compared to EG/W.
4 Chougule Base Fluid-Water Al2O3- 0.15–1% The maximum enhancement of thermal
Sandesh S. (2014) Nano Particle-Al2O3 <100 conductivity of the CNT–water nanofluids was
[17] Base Fluid-Water CNT-20- 76%, whereas Al2O3–water nanofluid was 18%
Nano Particle-CNT 30 nm with 1.0 vol.% of respective nanoparticles at 80°C.
With 1.0 vol.% of nanoparticles, the maximum
enhancements of heat transfer of the CNT–water
nanofluids and Al2O3–water nanofluid were
90.76% and 52.03%, respectively higher compared
to water only.
5 Elias M.M. et al. Base Fluid-EG/water 13 nm 0–1% The maximum enhancement of thermal
(2014) [18] (50:50) conductivity of the nanofluids was 8.3% with 1.0
Nano Particle-Al2O3 vol.% of Al2O3 nanoparticles at 50 °C.
6 Peyghambarzadeh Base Fluid-Water 20 nm 0.1–1% Application of nanofluid with low concentrations
S. M. et al. Nano Particle-Al2O3 can enhance heat transfer efficiency up to 45% in
(2011)[19] comparison with pure water.
7 Peyghambarzadeh Base Fluid- 20 nm 0.1–1% The heat transfer enhancement of about 40%
S. M. et al. EG+Water compared to the base fluids hasbeen recorded.
(2011)[20] Nano Particle-Al2O3

©NSTC (2018) 9-22 © STM Journals 2018. All Rights Reserved Page 14
 Nano Trends: A Journal of Nanotechnology and Its Applications
Volume 20, Issue 1, ISSN: 0973-418X (Online)

Review on CuO based Nano Coolants compared to the base fluid was recorded as
Naraki M. et al. (2013) [21], investigated the shown in Figure 7. The highest Nu number
overall heat transfer coefficient of CuO/water enhancement up to 55% was obtained in 0.8
nanofluids experimentally under laminar flow vol% of (CuO/water-EG) nanofluid.
regime (100 ≤ Re ≥1000) in a car radiator. The
results showed that overall heat transfer
coefficient increases with the enhancement in
the nanofluid concentration from 0 to 0.4
vol.%. Conversely, the overall heat transfer
coefficient decreases with increasing the
nanofluid inlet temperature from 50–80°C.
The implementation of nanofluid increases the
overall heat transfer coefficient up to 8% at
nanofluid concentration of 0.4 vol. % in
comparison with the base fluid. In addition,
the results statistically analyzed using Taguchi
method by implementing Qualitek-4 software.
The overall heat transfer coefficient enhances
with the addition of nanoparticles to the base
fluid. At the concentrations of 0.15 and 0.4
vol.% of CuO nanoparticles, the overall heat
transfer coefficient enhancements compared Fig. 6: Comparison Between the Measured
with the pure water are 6% and 8% as shown Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient and the
in Figure 6. Predicted Values for Distilled Water [21].

Leong K. Y. et al. (2010) [22], focused on the

application of ethylene glycol based copper
nano fluids in an automotive cooling system. It
was observed that, overall heat transfer
coefficient and heat transfer rate in engine
cooling system increased with the usage of
nano fluids (with ethylene glycol the base
fluid) compared to ethylene glycol (i.e. base
fluid) alone and about 3.8% of heat transfer
enhancement could be achieved with the
addition of 2% copper particles in a base fluid
at the Reynolds number of 6000 and 5000 for
air and coolant respectively. Estimated 18.7%
reduction of air frontal area was achieved by
adding 2% copper nano particles at Reynolds
number of 6000 and 5000 for air and coolant Fig. 7: Effect of Inlet Temperature on Nusselt
respectively. Number [23].

Heris S. Zeinali et al. (2014) [23], used CuO
(60 nm) nanoparticles in a mixture of
water/EG as a base fluid. The experimentation
work was performed for different volumetric
concentrations (0.05–0.8 vol %) of nano fluids
of different flow rates (4–8 LPM) and inlet
temperatures (35, 44, 54°C). The results
showed that nano fluids clearly enhanced heat
transfer compared to the base fluid. The heat
transfer coefficient enhancement of about 55%
Peyghambarzadeh S. M. et al. (2013) [24],
evaluated heat transfer performance of the
automobile radiator experimentally by
calculating the overall heat transfer coefficient
(U) according to the conventional 3-NTU
technique. Copper oxide (CuO) and Iron oxide
(Fe2O3) nano particles are added to the water
at three concentrations 0.15, 0.4, and 0.65
vol.% with considering the best pH for longer
stability. Results demonstrated that both nano

©NSTC (2018) 9-22 © STM Journals 2018. All Rights Reserved Page 15
Nano Coolants for Automotive Applications: A Review
fluids show greater overall heat transfer
coefficient in comparison with water up to 9%.
Furthermore, increasing the nano particle
concentration, air velocity, and nano fluid
velocity enhances the overall heat transfer
coefficient. In contrast, increasing the nano
fluid inlet temperature, lower overall heat
transfer coefficient was recorded. The major
conclusions were as follows:
1. Overall heat transfer coefficient increases
while the liquid inlet temperature
decreases.
2. Overall heat transfer coefficient enhances
with increasing the liquid flow rate and the
air flow rate.
3. Increasing the concentration of nano
particles enhance the overall heat transfer
coefficient especially for Fe2O3/water nano
fluids.
Detailed Overview of significant researches
carried out on Experimental studies of CuO
are summarized with respect to Size,
Volumetric Concentration and Outcomes in
Table 3.
Review on TiO2 Based Nano Coolants
Bhimani V. L. et al. (2016) [25], prepared five
different concentrations of nanofluids in the
range of 0.1–1 vol. % by the addition of TiO2
nano particles into the water. The test liquid
flows through the radiator consisted of 34
vertical tubes with elliptical cross section and
air makes a cross flow inside the tube bank
with constant speed. Liquid flow rate has been
changed in the range of 90–120 LPM to have
the fully turbulent regime. Results
demonstrated that increasing the fluid
circulating rate can improve the heat transfer
performance.
Table 3: Summary of Experimental Studies on CuO Based Nano Coolant.
S. No. Author Nano Coolant
1 Naraki M. et al. Base Fluid-Water
(2013) [21] Nano particle-CuO
2 Leong K. Y. et al. Base Fluid-EG
(2010) [22] Nano particle-CuO
3 Heris S. Zeinali et al. Base Fluid- 60 nm
(2014) [23] Water/EG-60
Nano particle-CuO
4 Peyghambarzadeh Base Fluid Water
S.M. et al. (2013) Nano particle-CuO Fe2O3-
[24] Base Fluid-Water
Nano particle- Fe2O3
©NSTC (2018) 9-22 © STM Journals 2018. All Rights Reserved
Saxena and Soni
Hussein Adnan M. et al. (2014) [26], setup the
test rig as a car radiator with tubes and
container. The range of Reynolds number and
volume fraction are (250–1,750) and (1.0–
2.5%) respectively. Results showed that the
heat transfer increases with increasing of
nanofluid volume fraction. The experimental
data is agreed with other investigator. A
highest Nusselt number have been recorded
upto 16.4 and 17.85 for TiO2-W and SiO2-W
respectively as shown in Figure 8.
Salamon V. et. al. (2017)[29], the heat transfer
characteristics of water/propylene glycol based
TiO2 nano fluid was analyzed experimentally
and compared with pure water and
water/propylene glycol mixture. Two different
concentrations of nano fluids were prepared by
adding 0.1 vol. % and 0.3 vol. % of TiO2 nano
particles into water/propylene glycol mixture
(70:30). The experiments were conducted by
varying the coolant flow rate between 3 to 6
LPM for various coolant temperatures (50°C,
60°C, 70°C, and 80°C) to understand the
effect of coolant flow rate on heat transfer.
The results showed that the Nusselt number of
the nano fluid coolant increases with increase
in flow rate. At low inlet coolant temperature
the water/propylene glycol mixture showed
higher heat transfer rate when compared with
nano fluid coolant. At higher operating
temperature and higher coolant flow rate, 0.3
vol. % of TiO2 nano fluid enhances the heat
transfer rate by 8.5% when compared to base
fluids.
Detailed Overview of significant researches
carried out on Experimental studies of TiO2
are summarized with respect to Size,
Volumetric Concentration and Outcomes in
Table 4.
Size Volumetric Outcome
Concentration
60 nm 0.4% Enhancement in overall heat transfer
coefficient of about 8% found at
0.4% volume concentration
- 2% Increase in heat transfer up to 3.8%
compared to base fluid
0–0.8% The heat transfer enhancement of 0.8
vol.% of CuO–EG/water was about
55% compared to the base fluid.
CuO-60 nm 0.15, 0.4, 0.65% Heat transfer coefficient was
enhanced up to 9% at 0.65 vol.%
40 nm nanoparticle concentration in
comparison with water
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 Nano Trends: A Journal of Nanotechnology and Its Applications
Volume 20, Issue 1, ISSN: 0973-418X (Online)

(a) (b)
Fig. 8: Nusselt Number at Different Reynolds Number: a TiO2-W and b SiO2-W.[26]

Table 4: Summary of Experimental Studies on TiO2 Based Nano Coolant.

S. Author Nano Coolant Size Volumetric Outcome
No. Concentration
1 Bhimani V. L. et Base Fluid-Water 15 nm 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, (a) At the concentration of 1 vol. %, the heat
al. (2016) [25] Nano Fluid- TiO2 0.7, and 1 vol.% transfer enhancement of 40–45% compared to
pure water was recorded.
(b) Enhance heat transfer efficiency up to 45%
in comparison with pure water.
2 Hussein Adnan Base Fluid-Water TiO2- 0.1, 1.5, 2.0 and (a) A highest Nusselt number have been
M. et al. (2014) Nano Fluid- TiO2 50 nm 2.5% recorded up to 16.4 and 17.85 for TiO2-
[26] Base Fluid-Water SiO2- W and SiO2-W respectively.
Nano Fluid- SiO2 22 nm (b) There are 20 and 32 % of the energy rate
enhancement and 24 and 29.5 % effectiveness
enhancement for TiO2 and SiO2 nanofluids
respectively
3 Sandhya Base Fluid –Water 21 nm 0.1, 0.3, and Increased heat transfer rate up to 37% in
Devireddy et al. (60%) 0.5% comparison with base fluid.
(2016) [27] EG (40%)
Nano particle- TiO2
4 Kurhe Eknath D. Base Fluid-Water 10–100 nm 0.1, 0.2 and (a) Overall heat transfer coefficient enhances
et al. (2016) [28] Nano Particle-TiO2 0.4% with increasing the liquid flow rate.
(b) Increasing the concentration of nano
particles enhances the overall heat transfer
coefficient especially for TiO2-water
nanofluids.
5 Salamon V. et al. Base Fluid –Water - 0.1 and 0.3%, (a) The heat transfer enhancement of about
(2017) [29] (70%) 8.5% was achieved with addition 0.3% of TiO2
Proplene glycol nano particles at 80°C coolant inlet temperature.
(30%) (b) The Nusslet number enhancement of 8.3%
Nano Particle- TiO2 was obtained by addition of 0.3% of TiO2
nanoparticles in the base coolant mixture.

Fig. 9: Result of Comparative Analysis of hexpv/s Flow Rate [28].

©NSTC (2018) 9-22 © STM Journals 2018. All Rights Reserved Page 17
Nano Coolants for Automotive Applications: A Review Saxena and Soni

Review on SiO2 based Nano Coolants
The oxides of silicon as a non-metallic
semiconductor are used by researcher for
experimental investigation of heat transfer
enhancement in automobile radiator, the
review is summarized as follows:
Furthermore, the inlet temperature to the
radiator has insignificantly affected to the
friction factor. On the other side, Nusselt
number increases with increasing in flow rate,
nano fluid volume concentration and inlet
temperature.

Ebrahimi M. et al. (2014) [30], experimentally
investigated the effect of adding SiO2 nano
particle to base fluid (water) in car radiator.
An experimental setup was designed for
improving thermal efficiency of engine which
leads to increase the engine's performance,
decline the fuel consumption and decrease the
pollution emissions. Effects of fluid inlet
temperature, the flow rate and nano particle
volume fraction on heat transfer are
considered. Effects of fluid inlet temperature,
Reynolds number and nano particle volume
fraction on heat transfer are considered. Using
nano fluid as working fluid leads to higher
heat transfer performance which is promoted
the car engine performance and would reduce
fuel consumption. Nusselt number increased
with increase of liquid inlet temperature, nano
particle volume fraction and Reynolds
number.
Hussein Adnan M. et al. (2014) [31],
experimentally and numerically included the
friction factor and forced convection heat
transfer of SiO2 nano particle. Four different
concentrations of nano fluids in the range of
1–2.5 vol% used. The flow rate changed in the
range of 2–8 LPM to have Reynolds number
with the range 500–1750. The results showed
that the friction factor decreases with an
increase in flow rate and increase with
increasing in volume concentration.
Hussein Adnan M. et al. (2014) [32],
conducted test setup including a car radiator
and the effects on heat transfer enhancement
under the operating conditions analyzed under
laminar flow conditions. The volume flow
rate, inlet temperature and nano fluid volume
concentration used in the range of 2–8 LPM,
60–80°C and 1–2% respectively. The results
showed that the Nusselt number increased
with volume flow rate and slightly increased
with inlet temperature and nano fluid volume
concentration. Figure 8 shows Comparison of
experimental and predicted Nu: a—pure water,
b—TiO2–W, andc—SiO2–W. Their
experimental results were found to be in good
agreement with other researchers' data, with a
deviation of only approximately 4%.
Hussein Adnan M. et al. (2014) [33], setup the
test rig as a car radiator with tubes and
container. The range of Reynolds number and
volume fraction are (250–1,750) and (1.0–
2.5%) respectively. Results showed that the
heat transfer increases with increasing of
nanofluid volume fraction. A highest Nusselt
number have been recorded up to 16.4 and
17.85 for TiO2- W and SiO2-W respectively.
Detailed Overview of significant researches
carried out on Experimental studies of SiO2 are
summarized with respect to Size, Volumetric
Concentration and Outcomes in Table 5.

Table 5: Summary of Experimental Studies on SiO2 Based Nano Coolant.

S. Author Nano Coolant Size Volumetric Outcome
No. Concentration
1 Ebrahimi M. Base Fluid-Water - 0.4% Maximum heat transfer enhancement of nano
et al. (2014) Nano Fluid- SiO2 fluid was 9.3% with 0.4 vol.% of nano particle
[30] and the Concentration was at 60°C.
2 M. Hussein Base Fluid-Water >100 nm - The maximum enhancement of heat transfer nano
Adnan et al. Nano Fluid- SiO2 fluid of 2.5 vol.% nano particle concentration
(2014) [31] was 46%.
3 M. Hussein Base Fluid-Water >100 nm 2.5% Maximum Nusselt number enhancements for
Adnan et al. Nano Fluid- SiO2 TiO2 and SiO2 nano fluids were 11% and 22.5%
(2014) [32] Base Fluid-Water respectively compared to pure water.
Nano Fluid- TiO2
4 M. Hussein Base Fluid-Water TiO2-50 nm TiO2-1-2.5% (a) The heat transfer enhancement of about 8.5%
Adnan et al. Nano Fluid- SiO2 SiO2-22 nm SiO2- was achieved with addition 0.3% of TiO2 nano
(2014) [33] Base Fluid-Water particles at 80°C coolant inlet temperature.
Nano Fluid- TiO2 (b) The Nusselt number enhancement of 8.3%
was obtained by addition of 0.3% of TiO2 nano
particles in the base coolant mixture.

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 Nano Trends: A Journal of Nanotechnology and Its Applications
Volume 20, Issue 1, ISSN: 0973-418X (Online)

study gives an overview of application of most

of the popularly used metallic/non-metallic
nano coolants. The outcome summary drawn
from present article on nano coolant as an
alternative for automotive coolants is:
1. The research work provide the summary
of research carried out on metallic/non
metallic oxide type nano coolants and
shows Al2O3 as most extensively used
nano particle.
2. Heat transfer enhancement of nano coolant
is one of the driving factors for improved
performance.
3. Nusselt number increases with increase in
Reynolds number by increasing flow rate
of nano coolant.
4. However problems like stability of nano
coolant, high cost, and increased pressure
drop are faced during nano coolant
application which limits the efficiency
factor of the cooling system. For this case,
most researchers agree that the optimum
performance of cooling system can be
achieved at low volume fraction of nano
particles (<1%).

NOMENCLATURE
Symbols
A= Area, m2
C= Specific Heat, J/kgK
Dp= Diameter of Nano particle, nm
D = Tube Inner Diameter
T = Temperature °C
H= Heat Transfer Coefficient W /m2-K
K = Thermal Conductivity W/m-K

Greek Symbol
Qt = Total Heat Transfer W/m2-K
µ = Dynamic Viscosity N/s-m2
U = Overall Heat Transfer W/m2K
ρ = Density Kg/m3
m = Mass Flow Rate (kg/s)

Subscripts
Fig. 10: Comparison of Experimental and ΔP= Pressure Drop
Predicted Nu: a—pure water, b—TiO2–W, and p = Particle
c—SiO2–W [32]. Re = Reynolds Number
bf = Base Fluid
CONCLUSIONS Nu = Nusselt Number
The present review article shows that a nf = Nano Fluid
considerable performance based research was nm = Nanometer
being carried out by various researchers in the nfi = Nano Fluid Inlet
field of automotive nano coolants. The present EG = Ethylene Glycol

©NSTC (2018) 9-22 © STM Journals 2018. All Rights Reserved Page 19
Nano Coolants for Automotive Applications: A Review
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors gratefully acknowledge the
automobile engineering department of
RustamJi Institute of Technology, BSF
Academy, Tekanpur for providing support for
the present review work.
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AUTHORS’ BIOGRAPHIES
Gaurav Saxena is an Assistant Professor in the
Department of Automobile Engineering at the
RustamJi Institute of Technology (RJIT),
Tekanpur, India. His fields of research are heat
transfer, solar energy and applications of nano
coolant. During his 10 years of teaching, he
has published several research articles in the
journals and conferences of international
repute and guided several post graduation
research.
Page 21
 Nano Coolants for Automotive Applications: A Review Saxena and Soni

Poonam Soni is an M.Tech student in the

Department of Automobile Engineering at the
RustamJi Institute of Technology (RJIT),
Tekanpur, India. Presently, she is working
under guidance of Mr. Gaurav Saxena on her
research project of development of nano
coolant for automotive applications.
Cite this Article
Gaurav Saxena, Poonam Soni. Nano
Coolants for Automotive Applications: A
Review. Nano Trends: A Journal of
Nanotechnology and Its Applications.
2018; 20(1): 9–22p.

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