Experimental study of TiO2/Turbine oil nanofluid convective heat transfer

In oroder to enhance energy exchange of turbine oil used in turbocompressors of gas pressurise stations, TiO2 nanopowders of 10 nm average particle size were added. Two step method was used to prepare the nanofluid. An experimental apparatus was made to measure convective heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number. Constant heat flux boundary condition and laminar flow regime were selected. Experimental results clearly indicated that the addition of small amount of nanopowders improves thermal capability of turbine oil which leads to a higher quality oil. A maximum Nusselt number ratio of 1.39 was obtained by addition of 0.6% volume concentration of TiO2 nanopowders.