Experimental and Numerical Study on Heat Transfer Enhancement Using Hybrid Nanofluids

Abstract

The growing demand for efficient thermal management systems in industrial, automotive, and energy applications has increased interest in advanced heat transfer fluids with superior thermal properties. This study presents an experimental and numerical investigation on heat transfer enhancement using hybrid nanofluids to improve thermal conductivity, convective heat transfer performance, and overall energy efficiency. The proposed research examines the behavior of hybrid nanofluids prepared by dispersing multiple nanoparticles into a base fluid to achieve enhanced thermo-physical characteristics compared with conventional fluids and single-particle nanofluids. An integrated methodology combining laboratory experimentation and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was employed to evaluate temperature distribution, heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop, flow behavior, and thermal efficiency under varying operating conditions. Experimental measurements were conducted for different nanoparticle concentrations, flow rates, and thermal boundary conditions, while numerical simulations were used to validate and analyze fluid flow and heat transfer mechanisms. The results demonstrated significant improvements in thermal conductivity, Nusselt number, and convective heat transfer performance with the use of hybrid nanofluids. The study also observed enhanced thermal stability and more efficient energy transport characteristics compared with traditional cooling fluids. Although slight increases in pressure drop and viscosity were identified, the overall thermal performance improvements outweighed these limitations. The findings conclude that hybrid nanofluids provide an effective solution for advanced heat transfer enhancement applications in heat exchangers, cooling systems, renewable energy devices, and industrial thermal management systems. The proposed approach contributes to the development of high-performance and energy-efficient thermal engineering technologies for modern industrial applications.