International Journal of Advanced Engineering Application

Experimental Investigation of Convection Heat Transfer Performance Using CuO Nanofluid in Ethylene Glycol/Water Mixtures

Author(s):Brian Otieno1, Kevin Mwangi2, Daniel Kamau3

Affiliation: 1,2,3Department Of Mechanical Engineering , 1,2,3 Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology-Kenya

Page No: 10-19

Volume issue & Publishing Year: Volume 1 Issue 7,Nov-2025

Journal: International Journal of Advanced Engineering Application (IJAEA)

ISSN NO: 3048-6807

DOI:

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Abstract:
Technological advancements have necessitated efficient cooling solutions for electronic components, particularly central processing units. Water cooling systems, employing water blocks to transfer heat from components to circulating liquid, offer superior cooling compared to traditional methods, enabling higher performance and quieter operation. This study focuses on synthesizing nanofluids by dispersing CuO nanoparticles in water/ethylene glycol. Then, the nanofluids were tested as cooling liquids in computer water blocks to investigate their heat transfer properties and pumping power, aiming to assess their suitability for practical cooling applications. Experimental studies were conducted on CuO-ethylene glycol/water nanofluids, comprising CuO nanoparticles, 40% ethylene glycol as the base fluid, and 60% water by the total fluid volume. The tested nanoparticles volume fractions are 0.025%,0.055%, and 0.102%. The CuO-ethylene glycol/water nanofluid was prepared through sonication at 37 kHz for 3 hours. Subsequently, the nanofluids were tested on the water block with a flow rate ranging from 0.7 to 1.9 liters per minute. The results indicate that higher CuO concentration enhances heat transfer performance. However, it is worth noting that using higher nanoparticle concentrations may necessitate increased pumping power. This study provides valuable insights into the trade-offs between heat transfer and energy consumption for CuO-based nanofluids in electronic cooling system applications.

Keywords: Experimental study, CuO nanofluid, ethylene glycol, water mixture, convection heat transfer, heat transfer enhancement, thermal performance, nanotechnology, fluid dynamics

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