Thermophysical traits of hybrid nanofluids in cleanroom air handling unit: An experimental study

Abstract

Nanofluids, comprising colloidal suspensions of non-metallic or metallic nanoparticles dispersed in conventional base fluids, are crucial for augmenting heat transfer properties across numerous industrial sectors. Cleanroom facilities play a vital role in diverse industries by regulating contamination levels and environmental parameters to ensure optimal operational conditions. In this paper, thermophysical characteristics of mono nanofluids (Al₂O₃–water, CuO–water) and hybrid nanofluid (Al₂O₃–CuO–water) at various nanoparticle concentrations (1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5% and 4%) on a prototype cleanroom air handling chiller unit was investigated experimentally. An experimental investigation on the thermophysical characteristics of mono and hybrid nanofluids in a prototype cleanroom air handling chiller unit heat exchanger with an increasing nanoparticle volume concentration from 1% to 4% revealed that the density increased by 9.27%, 16.67% and 25.91%; specific heat decreased by 2.53%, 2.66% and 2.17%; thermal conductivity increased by 15.71%, 14.70% and 16.67%; and dynamic viscosity increased by 32.94%, 32.47% and 32.90% for Al₂O₃–water, CuO–water and hybrid (Al₂O₃–CuO–water) nanofluids, respectively, in comparison with water. The novelty of this research lies in its investigation of hybrid nanofluids tailored for cleanroom air handling units, aiming to enhance heat transfer efficiency, offering valuable insights by characterising thermophysical traits and assessing their performance for advancing cleanroom technology, addressing a significant research gap in the field.