Combination of Co₃O₄ deposited rGO hybrid nanofluids and longitudinal strip inserts: Thermal properties, heat transfer, friction factor, and thermal performance evaluations

The reduced-graphene oxide/cobalt oxide hybrid nanoparticles were prepared based on the in-situ/chemical co-precipitation technique, and they were analyzed by transmission electron microscope, x-ray diffraction, and magnetometer techniques. The hybrid nanofluids were prepared with particle loadings of 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% by dispersing synthesized reduced-graphene oxide/cobalt oxide in distilled water and their physical properties were measured. The thermal performance of the nanofluids was studied, when they flow in the turbulent regime through a circular tube. The thermal performance was also evaluated when straight (longitudinal) strip inserts with aspect ratios of 1, 2, and 4, were used inside the circular. These straight strip inserts by increasing the flow turbulence intensity act as turbulators. Results indicate that with a dilution of 0.2% concentration of hybrid nanoparticles in water, the Nusselt number is enhanced by 25.65%, and it is further enhanced by 110.56% with a straight strip insert of aspect ratio 1. The use of hybrid nanofluids and straight strip inserts leads to a slight penalty in fluid friction. For 0.2% concentration of hybrid nanoparticles in water, the penalty in friction factor is 11%, and it is further increased to 69.8% with 0.2% particle loadings and a straight strip insert of aspect ratio1. Moreover, the thermal performance factor of hybrid nanofluids with and without straight strip inserts presents values higher than 1, which shows the benefit of the prepared hybrid nanofluids in a turbulent flow. A general form of regression equations are developed based on the experimental data.