Title: Comparing single vs. two-phase models for Al₂O₃-H₂O nanofluid in minichannels

Authors: Abdelkder Mahammedi; Driss Meddah Medjahed; Abderrahmane Amari

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Djelfa, 17000, Algeria ' Laboratory Applied Automation and Industrial Diagnostics (LAADI), Département de Technologie, Institut des Sciences et Technologie, Centre Univ Naama, Algeria ' Renewable Energy Systems Applications Laboratory (LASER), Ziane Achour University, Djelfa 17000, Algeria

Abstract: CFD predictions of a steady laminar forced convective heat transfer of a nanofluid AL₂O₃-water mixture in a horizontal 2D minichannel were studied numerically. The governing equations for the classical Newtonian nanofluid and the approach founded on the two-phase models had been numerically solved using Fluent CFD software. The impacts of the Nusselt number, volume concentration, coefficient of heat transfer, wall temperature, pressure drop, and hydrodynamic flow were studied via single-phase fluid and two-phase (Eulerian, mixture) models. A numerical process comparison with available numerical and experimental data was done to ensure the validity and reliability of the models, where a satisfactory agreement was found. Heat transfer efficiency raises as the nanoparticle volume concentration and Reynolds number rise, and the results of two-phase modelling demonstrate a larger enhancement of heat transfer compared to those from a single-phase model.

Keywords: CFD predictions; nanofluid; two-phase model; laminar forced convection; heat transfer; Nusselt number; Fluent; pressure drop.

DOI: 10.1504/PCFD.2025.149926

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 2025 Vol.25 No.6, pp.370 - 380

Received: 15 May 2024
Accepted: 04 Jan 2025
Published online: 18 Nov 2025 *

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