Nanofluid Heat Transfer in Plate Heat Exchangers

Plate heat exchangers consist of a series of thin corrugated metal plates that create narrow channels through which two fluids flow in counter- or co-current arrangements. Their high surface-to-volume ratio and compact design suit applications from electronics cooling to solar thermal systems. Incorporating nanoparticles into conventional base fluids yields nanofluids with enhanced thermal conductivity and heat transfer coefficients. Common nanoparticles include oxides (Al₂O₃, TiO₂, ZnO), carbon-based materials (graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes) and metal suspensions (silver, copper). By increasing the Nusselt number, nanofluids can boost heat-transfer rates, enabling smaller exchangers or higher thermal outputs. Challenges remain in maintaining long-term colloidal stability, offsetting increased viscosity and pressure drop, and mitigating fouling. Optimising nanoparticle concentration, shape and hybrid combinations, alongside surface treatments or ultrasonic stabilisation, has emerged as a central strategy. Concurrently, advanced numerical models are applied to predict thermo-hydraulic performance and guide experimental design. The global significance of this research is evident in sectors from renewable energy systems to process engineering, where efficiency gains translate into reduced energy consumption and carbon footprint.

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Nanofluid Heat Transfer in Plate Heat Exchangers publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanofluid heat transfer in plate heat exchangers across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nanofluid: A suspension of nanoparticles (1–100 nm) in a base fluid, designed to enhance thermal properties.

Plate heat exchanger: A compact heat-exchange device comprising parallel corrugated plates that form fluid channels.

Nusselt number (Nu): A dimensionless measure of convective heat‐transfer relative to conductive heat‐transfer across a boundary layer.

Reynolds number (Re): A dimensionless ratio of inertial to viscous forces in fluid flow, indicating laminar or turbulent regimes.

Convective heat‐transfer coefficient (h): The proportionality factor relating heat‐flux to temperature difference between a surface and a fluid.

Hybrid nanofluid: A nanofluid containing two or more types of nanoparticles to exploit synergistic thermophysical effects.

References

1. Experimental optimization of the performance of a plate heat exchanger with Graphene oxide/water and Al₂O₃/water nanofluids. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (2024).
2. A case study on analyzing the performance of microplate heat exchanger using nanofluids at different flow rates and temperatures. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (2023).
3. Comparisons of Numerical and Experimental Investigations of the Thermal Performance of Al2O3 and TiO2 Nanofluids in a Compact Plate Heat Exchanger. Nanomaterials (2022).
4. On the Role of Nanofluids in Thermal-Hydraulic Performance of Heat Exchangers—A Review. Nanomaterials (2020).