SINOPSIS

A numerical study on the heat transfer characteristics of the Cu-water nanofluid within a heated patterned channel is made. One wall of the channel is patterned by placing surface mounted blunt ribs. The objective of this study is to analyze enhanced heat transfer performance in a thin channel by using nanofluid as a cooling fluid combined with geometric modulation of the channel walls. The flow and thermal field are analyzed for a wide range of Reynolds number, based on the incoming flow and channel height, and nanoparticle volume fraction. The heat transfer performance is studied by evaluating the rate of heat transfer, entropy generation, pressure drop, and thermal performance factor. A single-phase model is adopted to analyze the nanofluid flow and heat transfer. Increase in nanoparticle volume fraction produces an increment in heat transfer as well as entropy generation. The wall mounted protrusion creates a flow separation and the recirculation eddy downstream of the protrusion grows with the increase of the nanoparticle volume fraction. The present study shows that a multiple number of ribs creates an enhanced heat transfer with reduced thermal performance compared to a single rib. An increase in nanoparticle volume fraction increases the thermal performance.