Nanofluids in Thermal Management and Heat Recovery Systems

In this chapter, issues related to the breaking paradigm of nanofluids in improving thermal management and heat recovery systems in industries, industrial-based business establishments, and electronic systems are discussed. In recent years, conventional cooling fluids have shown inadequate performance in mitigating high heat fluxes and thermal bottlenecks, particularly with the advent of compact, high-efficiency devices. One possible solution is nanofluids, colloidal suspensions of nanoparticles within base fluids, because of a large increase in thermal conductivity, convective heat transfer coefficients, and CHF. This chapter goes in depth with the use of nanofluids in thermosyphons, heat pipes, microchannel heat sinks, thermoelectric coolers, PCM systems, natural convection, jet impingement, spray cooling, district cooling systems, etc. The chapter also assesses real time nanofluid application issues such as agglomeration, corrosion, scaling of costs, and environmental effects through experimental case studies and modeling knowledge. Long-term performance and sustainability are also measured by incorporating the life cycle assessment (LCA) framework and pilot project data. Broadly, the chapter draws attention to nanofluids as a second-generation solution to thermal energy that has the potential to complement energy-efficient, compact, sustainable, and overall thermal management power.