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Process Parameters Effect Investigations on Viscosity of Water-ethylene Glycol-based α-alumina Nanofluids: An Ultrasonic Experimental and Statistical Approach

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Abstract

Stable α-alumina-water-ethylene glycol (WEG) based nanofluids with a low viscosity requirement are preferable for promising engineering applications. Viscosity of nanofluids is a significant parameter that decides the flow characteristics and pumping pressure requirements. In this study, α-alumina nanoparticles (spherical morphology with 40 nm) dispersed in WEG mixture in a ratio of 50:50 (v/v) using an ultra-sonication process. Further analysis of the effects of process parameters on the viscosity of prepared nanofluid, including volume concentrations (0.01%–0.2%), temperatures (30-45 °C), and sonication times (0–4 h). A decrease in viscosity of 11.36% was observed for 0.2% volume concentration as sonication time increased from 0 to 3 h at a process temperature of 45 °C. The viscosity value of nanofluids approaches a stable value at 3 h of sonication. No significant sonication ‘null effect’ was required for lower concentrations irrespective of the temperature and sonication time, yielding low viscosity. At the same time, clusters were observed at a higher volume concentration under a minimal sonication time (1 h) resulting in a higher viscosity. On the other hand, the viscosity of nanofluid was reduced with the help of an increase in sonication duration and process temperature. Statistical analysis ranks a higher degree to volume concentration of nanoparticles.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Chennai for providing financial support through the SSN internal funding. We also acknowledge the technical support given by Prof. Dr. P. Ramasamy, Dean, SSN Research Centre.

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  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, Chennai, 603110, Tamilnadu, India

    R. Prakash, L. Chilambarasan & K. Rajkumar

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  1. R. Prakash
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  2. L. Chilambarasan
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  3. K. Rajkumar
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RP—Resources, Supervision, Validation and Visualization; LC—Conceptualization, Investigation, Data acquisition; KR—Supervision, Writing- Review and Editing.

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Correspondence to L. Chilambarasan.

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Prakash, R., Chilambarasan, L. & Rajkumar, K. Process Parameters Effect Investigations on Viscosity of Water-ethylene Glycol-based α-alumina Nanofluids: An Ultrasonic Experimental and Statistical Approach. Arab J Sci Eng 46, 11909–11921 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-021-05790-6

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