Optimization of natural convection heat transfer of Newtonian nanofluids in a cylindrical enclosure

This study characterizes and optimizes natural convection heat transfer of two Newtonian Al2O3 and Ti O2/water nano fluids in a cylindrical enclosure. Nusselt number(Nu) of nano fluids in relation to Rayleigh number(Ra) for different concentrations of nano fluids is investigated at different con figurations and orientations of the enclosure.Results show that adding nanoparticles to water has a negligible or even adverse in fluence upon natural convection heat transfer of water: only a slight increase in natural convection heat transfer of Al2O3/water is observed,while natural convection heat transfer for TiO2/water nano fluid is inferior to that for the base fluid. Results also reveal that at low Ra, the likelihood of enhancement in natural convection heat transfer is more than at high Ra: at low Ra, inclination angle, aspect ratio of the enclosure and nanoparticle concentration in fluence natural convection heat transfer more pronouncedly than that in high Ra.