Taguchi optimization of automotive radiator cooling with nanofluids

Considering the influences of heat transfer rate in automotive radiators on several aspects such as engine performance, fuel economy and available space for components, present study numerically investigates impacts different nanofluids pressure drop an radiator. Four parameters each having four levels are taken into consideration, which nanoparticle volume fraction ( $$\phi =0.1, 0.3, 0.7$$ , 1%), Reynolds number (Re $$=$$ 9350, 13,800, 18,500 23,000), type base fluid (EG20, EG40, EG60, water) $$\hbox {Fe}_{3}\hbox {O}_{4}$$ CuO, {Al}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}$$ {SiO}_{2})$$ . Taguchi method is employed reducing parameter combinations from 256 to 16. It found that nanofluid utilization improves between 3.2 45.9% depending combination investigated parameters. Pressure noticeably increased due utilization. Regarding optimization, using –water with 0.3% at Re 9350 most appropriate option a high relatively low drop. concluded radiator size can be reduced by 10.8% improvement transfer, consequently allow larger designers placing other components.