Fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids in heat pipes: A review

Comprehensive research work on heat transfer in heat pipe using traditional working fluids has been carried out over the past decade. Heat transfer in heat pipes using suspensions of nanometer-sized solid particles in base fluids have been experimentally and theoretically investigated in recent years by various researchers across the world. The suspended nanoparticles effectively enhance heat transfer characteristics and the transport properties of base fluids in heat pipes. The objective of this paper is to present an overview of literature dealing with recent developments in the study of heat transfer using nanofluids in heat pipes and some important inferences from the various papers are also highlighted. It also discusses the mechanism of heat transfer enhancement or degradation, the existing problems for various heat pipes utilizing nanfluids, and explores the possible application prospects. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.