The Use of Nanofluid in Brushless DC Motor Cooling System for the Development of Solar Powered Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SPHEV)

Recent studies show that TiO2 and Al2O3 nanofluid has played an important role in many engineering sectors, especially in reducing heat generated by a system. The characteristics of TiO2 and Al2O3 nanofluid are able to enhance the thermal properties of a base fluid, such as pure water. This ability makes the heat absorption of the cooling system increased which means makes a system runs more efficient. Furthermore, the availability, the human and environmental safety factor, and the chemical stability factor owned by these nanofluid are the other supporting reasons why this paper uses Al2O3 and TiO2 nanofluid to be compared with water. Hence, TiO2 and Al2O3 nanofluid are compared with water as coolant for cooling system of a work-producing component, i.e. BLDC motor. The term to be compared is the heat transfer coefficient. This parameter holds essential role for determining the heat transfer of a flowing fluid. Heat transfer coefficient implicitly reveals the cooling capacity of flowing fluid. The aim of this paper is to choose the best coolant for cooling down the BLDC motor temperature by comparing the heat transfer coefficient.