Performance Investigation of Automotive Radiator Using Water-Al2O3 and Ethylene Glycol Nanofluid Blends

This study aims to improve the heat transfer performance of radiators in automobiles using water-based Al2O3 and ethylene glycol (EG) nanofluid. Three water-based nanofluids with different concentrations of Al2O3 and EG were evaluated and compared with base water. The three selected concentrations of EG were 30%, 50% in water (by volume) without Al2O3 and 50% EG + 0.1% Al2O3 in water. The experiments evaluated the superiority of water-based Al2O3 and EG nanofluid mixture over the base fluid. Additionally, experimentation was performed to optimize the distance between fan and radiator. It is found that the air-side thermal resistance is more prevalent in the vehicle radiator. A thorough examination of the air-side heat transfer coefficient is necessary to enhance the current fan and radiator designs and positioning. The analysis of the radiator's heat transfer performance for automotive applications demonstrates how variations in the distance between the fan and radiator impact the choice of coolant and air movement through the core.