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Industrial Applications of Nanofluids in the Energy Sector

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "J: Thermal Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2024) | Viewed by 8296

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Javier P. Vallejo

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Guest Editor

Centro Universitario de la Defensa en la Escuela Naval Militar, Plaza de España, s/n, 36920 Marín, Spain
Interests: heat transfer; energy; nanofluids; thermophysical properties; rheology; optical properties

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanofluids are a new type of working fluids that contain nanoparticles (1–100 nm) which are uniformly and stably distributed in a base fluid. Initially, these nanoparticles, generally metals, metal oxides, or carbon allotropes, were dispersed to enhance the thermal conductivity of the base fluid, allowing for higher heat transfer characteristics. Despite various challenges, such as dispersion stability or increased pumping power, nanofluids have become improved working fluids for various energy applications. Exhaustive studies of nanofluids as working fluids are required to characterize their energy performance in industrial applications.

This Special Issue aims to make significant contributions in the characterization of mono nanofluids or hybrid nanofluids as working fluids in various industrial applications, such as convective heat transfer (natural or forced convection), thermal energy storage, sunlight absorption or lubrication, among others. Studies are expected that pay attention to the behavior of nanofluids in experimental setups, industrial devices or real facilities. In addition, comprehensive reviews addressing the nanofluid literature on a particular industrial application of the energy sector will be considered for publication.

Dr. Javier P. Vallejo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Nanofluids
Heat transfer applications
Energy
Industrial applications
Thermophysical properties

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 4180 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dielectric Performance of Natural- and Synthetic-Ester-Based Nanofluids with Fullerene Nanoparticles

by Miloš Šárpataky, Juraj Kurimský, Michal Rajňák, Michal Krbal and Marek Adamčák

Energies 2023, 16(1), 343; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16010343 - 28 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1163

Abstract

According to the latest research, nanofluids as a possible future substitution for high-voltage equipment insulation have the potential to enhance the heat transfer and insulation properties of their base fluids. Dielectric properties are represented by breakdown strength (AC, DC, lightning) and dielectric performance as a set of quantities including dissipation factor, permittivity, and volume resistivity. In this study, natural and synthetic esters were mixed with C₆₀ nanoparticles. Samples were examined for dissipation factor, relative permittivity, and volume resistivity at temperatures between 25 °C and 140 °C to monitor changes in dielectric performance with rising temperature, in accordance with IEC 60247. In addition, the samples were tested for AC breakdown voltage (using mushroom-like electrodes with a gap distance of 1 mm) and evaluated using the Weibull distribution statistical method. These measurements allowed complex evaluation of the examined mixtures and the determination of optimal concentration for each ester-based nanofluid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Applications of Nanofluids in the Energy Sector)

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19 pages, 3753 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Alumina Nanofluids on Pool Boiling Performance on Biphilic Surfaces for Cooling Applications

by Ricardo Santos, Ana Sofia Moita, Ana Paula C. Ribeiro and António Luís N. Moreira

Energies 2022, 15(1), 372; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15010372 - 05 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1306

Abstract

This work aims to study the impact of nanofluids with alumina particles on pool boiling performance. Unlike most studies, which use a trial-and-error approach to improve boiling performance parameters, this study details the possible effects of nanoparticles on the effective mechanisms of boiling and heat transfer. For this purpose, biphilic surfaces (hydrophilic surfaces with superhydrophobic spots) were used, which allow the individual analysis of bubbles. Surfaces with different configurations of superhydrophobic regions were used. The thermophysical properties of fluids only vary slightly with increasing nanoparticle concentration. The evolution of the dissipated heat flux and temperature profiles for a nucleation time frame is independent of the fluid and imposed heat flux. It can be concluded that the optimal concentration of nanoparticles is 3 wt%. Using this nanoparticle concentration leads to lower surface temperature values than those obtained with water, the reference fluid. This is due to the changes in the balance of forces in the triple line, induced by increased wettability as a consequence of the deposited particles. Wherefore, smaller and more frequent bubbles are formed, resulting in higher heat transfer coefficients. This effect, although relevant, is still of minor importance when compared to that of the use of biphilic surfaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Applications of Nanofluids in the Energy Sector)

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Review

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51 pages, 3539 KiB

Open AccessReview

An Overview of the Molten Salt Nanofluids as Thermal Energy Storage Media

by José Pereira, Ana Moita and António Moreira

Energies 2023, 16(4), 1825; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16041825 - 12 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2152

Abstract

The research in the field of the nanofluids has experienced noticeable advances since its discovery two decades ago. These thermal fluids having minimal quantities of nano-scaled solid particles in suspension have great potential for thermal management purposes because of their superior thermophysical properties. The conventional water-based nanofluids have been extensively investigated so far with emphasis in their improved thermal conductivity. A novel class of nanofluids based on inorganic salts has been developed in the last few years with the goal of storing and transferring thermal energy under high temperatures. These molten salt-based nanofluids can in general be recognized by an enhanced specific heat due to the inclusion of the nanoparticles. However, it should be emphasized that this does not always happen since this thermophysical property depends on so many factors, including the nature of the molten salts, different preparation methods, and formation of the compressed layer and secondary nanostructures, among others, which will be thoroughly discussed in this work. This peculiar performance has caused a widespread open debate within the research community, which is currently trying to deal with the inconsistent and controversial findings, as well as attempting to overcome the lack of accurate theories and prediction models for the nanofluids in general. This review intends to present an extensive survey of the published scientific articles on the molten salt nanofluids. Other important realities concerning the development and thermal behavior of the molten salt nanofluids, such as the stability over time of the nanoparticles dispersed in the molten salts, latent heat, viscosity, and thermal conductivity, will be reviewed in the current work. Additionally, special focus will be given to concentrated solar power technology applications. Finally, the limitations and prospects of the molten salts nanofluids will be addressed and the main concluding remarks will be listed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Applications of Nanofluids in the Energy Sector)

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15 pages, 748 KiB

Open AccessReview

Ionic Liquid and Ionanofluid-Based Redox Flow Batteries—A Mini Review

by Aswathy Joseph, Jolanta Sobczak, Gaweł Żyła and Suresh Mathew

Energies 2022, 15(13), 4545; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15134545 - 21 Jun 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2444

Abstract

Stationary energy storage methods such as flow batteries are one of the best options to integrate with smart power grids. Though electrochemical energy storage using flow battery technologies has been successfully demonstrated since the 1970s, the introduction of ionic liquids into the field of energy storage introduces new dimensions in this field. This reliable energy storage technology can provide significantly more flexibility when incorporated with the synergic effects of ionic liquids. This mini-review enumerates the present trends in redox flow battery designs and the use of ionic liquids as electrolytes, membranes, redox couples, etc. explored in these designs. This review specifically intends to provide an overview of the research prospects of ionic liquids for redox flow batteries (RFB). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Applications of Nanofluids in the Energy Sector)

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