Thermal conductivity of stabilized PEG 400 based nanofluids: An experimental approach

Polyethylene glycol is intensively studied as the base for new enhanced materials, while PEG 400 enhanced with nanoparticles may be seen as a new heat transfer fluid and its development is on its way. A number of reports were acknowledged in the recent literature, even if this research is ongoing and new hypothesis have to be further tested. This paper deals with a complex experimental study involving PEG 400 enhanced with three kinds of nanoparticles, i.e. Al2O3, ZnO and MWCNT. A first observation was in regard to a possible synergy between nanoparticle type and base fluid, yet this hypothesis requires to be further proved. The experimental was conducted taking into account both the temperature effect on the thermal conductivity, as well as the nanoparticle loading in the base fluid. Concluding, nanoparticles addition to a base fluid undoubtedly boosts its thermal conductivity, mechanisms being analogous to those demonstrated for all nanofluids. In regard to heating performance, it was perceived that upper nanoparticles concentration changes the heating comportment of the PEG 400.