A.G.M. Ferreira

Thermodynamic and Transport Properties of CNT-Water Based Nanofluids

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) – perhaps the most enticing class of nano-materials, can be added in small volume fractions to enhance the thermal properties of fluids when process intensification or even device miniaturization is required. This work reports on the results obtained when measuring viscosity, and thermal conductivity of homogenous CNTs – water based nanofluids. The influence of CNTs volume concentration on the nanofluid thermo-physical properties is studied and measurements are undertaken at different temperatures, ranging from 283.15 K to 333.15 K. The nanofluids have been prepared by adding different volume concentrations of treated CNTs to water. The latter has been then sonicated for one hour and the colloidal stability monitored via UV – vis spectrophotometer. The absorbance of the nanofluid was observed at 263 nm, and the average concentration of CNTs was maintained at 9.35 mg/l, even after 200 hours, over 97% when compared with the initial concentration. The viscosity was measured using a controlled stress rheometer, and the measurements were performed in the shear rate ranging from 0 to 600 sec-1. At the same shear rate and temperature, the viscosity was observed to rise with increasing CNTs volume concentration. In what concerns thermal conductivity, it was assessed with a KD2 pro thermal property tester from Decagon Devices and the results clearly show that thermal conductivity rises with CNTs volume fraction, reaching its maximum at 2.5%vol where it represents more than 100% enhancement when the comparison is established with the corresponding value for the base fluid, at the same temperature conditions (i.e. 283.15 – 303.15 K). Furthermore, at higher temperatures (i.e. 313.15 – 333.15 K), the latter, for up to 1%vol concentration represents a 70% enhancement in thermal conductivity.

EG/CNTs Nanofluids Engineering and Thermo-Rheological Characterization

The research work presented here intends to contribute to the overall research effort towards nanofluids engineering and characterization. To accomplish the latter, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are added to an ethylene glycol (EG) based fluid. Different aspects concerning the nanofluids preparation and its thermal characterization will be addressed. The study considers and exploits the relative influence of CNTs concentration on EG based fluids, on the suspension effective thermal conductivity and viscosity. In order to guarantee a high-quality dispersion it was performed a chemical treatment on the MWCNTs followed by ultrasonication mixing. Furthermore, the ultrasonication mixing-time is optimized through the UV-vis spectrophotometer to ensure proper colloidal stability. The thermal conductivity is measured via transient hot-wire within a specified temperature range. Viscosity is assessed through a controlled stress rheometer. The results obtained clearly indicate an enhancement in thermal conductivity consistent with carbon nanotube loading. The same trend is observed for the viscosity, which decreases with temperature rise and its effect is nullified at higher shear rates.

Some thermodynamic properties of liquid hydrogen sulphide and deuterium sulphide

Abstract The orthobaric densities of liquid H 2 S and D 2 S have been measured from about 197 to 265 K. Over the whole of this range, liquid H 2 S has the larger molar volume. The difference of the vapour pressures of the two compounds has been measured from about 208 to 248 K. At 225.05 K the two liquids have the same vapour pressure. At lower temperatures than this, H 2 S has the higher vapour pressure. The available vapour pressures for H 2 S have been fitted to a Wagner equation. By combining vapour pressures for H 2 S derived from this equation with the differential measurements, values for the vapour pressure of D 2 S have been obtained. These values have also been fitted to a Wagner equation. The material presented in this paper has been used to estimate the enthalpy of vaporization of H 2 S and of D 2 S each from its triple-point temperature to 270 K. Throughout this temperature range, the enthalpy of vaporization of D 2 S exceeds that of H 2 S, the difference decreasing with rising temperature.

Some thermodynamic properties of liquid ammonia and trideuteroammonia

Abstract The orthobaric density of liquid NH 3 has been measured from about 200 to 287 K, and for liquid ND 3 from about 205 to 273 K. The molar volume of liquid NH 3 exceeds that of ND 3 by between 0.8 and 0.9 per cent. The difference of the vapour pressures of the two compounds has been measured from about 200 to 266 K, and the vapour pressure of NH 3 from the triple-point temperature to 234 K. Liquid NH 3 has the higher vapour pressure, the difference being relatively large for a pair of isotopic compounds. At 200 K, the ratio of the vapour pressure of NH 3 to that of ND 3 is about 1.2. The available vapour pressures for NH 3 have been fitted to a Wagner equation. By combining vapour pressures derived from this equation with the differential measurements, values for the vapour pressure of ND 3 have been obtained. These values have likewise been fitted to a Wagner equation. The material presented in this paper has been used to estimate the molar enthalpies of vaporization of NH 3 (l) and of ND 3 (l) from the triple-point temperatures to 290 K. The molar enthalpy of vaporization of ND 3 exceeds that of NH 3 throughout this range. The difference amounts to about 3.5 per cent at the triple-point temperatures, and decreases with rising temperature.