Carbon nanotube (CNT) suspensions have shown promise as a heat transfer nanofluid due to their relatively high thermal conductivity and ability to remain in stable suspension for long durations. To assess their potential as a phase change material for thermal management systems, the stability of such suspensions under repeated phase change cycles is investigated. Electrical resistance testing was used to monitor stability of the CNT network during freeze-thaw cycling. With distilled water as the base fluid, the effects of CNT size and type, CNT concentration, surfactant type and concentration, and processing parameters were investigated. Nanofluids tested included laboratory-prepared and commercially supplied samples. Experiments showed breakdown of the nanofluid in less than 12 phase change cycles for all samples tested. Ultrasonication after breakdown was shown to restore resistance values to prebreakdown levels. The results suggest the use of CNT-enhanced water as a phase change material presents a significant operational challenge due to instability of the CNT network during phase change cycling. Should the use of such nanofluids be warranted as a phase change material, electrical resistance testing along with repeated ultrasonication may be considered as a means to control and monitor stability of the nanoparticle suspension in service.
Skip Nav Destination
e-mail: brian.ryglowski@navy.mil
e-mail: randall.pollak@us.af.mil
e-mail: ywkwon@nps.edu
Article navigation
December 2010
Research Papers
Characterizing the Stability of Carbon Nanotube-Enhanced Water as a Phase Change Material for Thermal Management Systems
Brian K. Ryglowski,
Brian K. Ryglowski
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: brian.ryglowski@navy.mil
Naval Postgraduate School
, 700 Dyer Road, Mail Stop ME/Kw, Monterey, CA 93950
Search for other works by this author on:
Randall D. Pollak,
Randall D. Pollak
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: randall.pollak@us.af.mil
Naval Postgraduate School
, 700 Dyer Road, Mail Stop ME/Kw, Monterey, CA 93950
Search for other works by this author on:
Young W. Kwon
Young W. Kwon
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: ywkwon@nps.edu
Naval Postgraduate School
, 700 Dyer Road, Mail Stop ME/Kw, Monterey, CA 93950
Search for other works by this author on:
Brian K. Ryglowski
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Naval Postgraduate School
, 700 Dyer Road, Mail Stop ME/Kw, Monterey, CA 93950e-mail: brian.ryglowski@navy.mil
Randall D. Pollak
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Naval Postgraduate School
, 700 Dyer Road, Mail Stop ME/Kw, Monterey, CA 93950e-mail: randall.pollak@us.af.mil
Young W. Kwon
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Naval Postgraduate School
, 700 Dyer Road, Mail Stop ME/Kw, Monterey, CA 93950e-mail: ywkwon@nps.edu
J. Thermal Sci. Eng. Appl. Dec 2010, 2(4): 041007 (6 pages)
Published Online: February 18, 2011
Article history
Received:
July 29, 2010
Revised:
January 10, 2011
Online:
February 18, 2011
Published:
February 18, 2011
Citation
Ryglowski, B. K., Pollak, R. D., and Kwon, Y. W. (February 18, 2011). "Characterizing the Stability of Carbon Nanotube-Enhanced Water as a Phase Change Material for Thermal Management Systems." ASME. J. Thermal Sci. Eng. Appl. December 2010; 2(4): 041007. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4003507
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Reviewer of the Year
J. Thermal Sci. Eng. Appl
Design of a Vacuum Dryer Based on Experimental Data from Atmospheric Drying
J. Thermal Sci. Eng. Appl
In Memoriam: Dr. Kenneth J. Bell:
J. Thermal Sci. Eng. Appl
Related Articles
Influence of Nanomaterials in Polymer Composites on Thermal Conductivity
J. Heat Transfer (April,2012)
Pool Boiling Characteristics of Carbon Nanotube Based Nanofluids Over a Horizontal Tube
J. Thermal Sci. Eng. Appl (June,2009)
Estimation and Analysis of Surface Heat Flux During Quenching in CNT Nanofluids
J. Heat Transfer (July,2011)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Heat Transfer Characteristics of CNT-Heat Transfer Oil Nanofluid Flow Inside Helically Coiled Tubes under Uniform Wall Tempoerature Condition
International Conference on Computer and Electrical Engineering 4th (ICCEE 2011)
Simple Routes to Synthesize Carbon Nanotubes and Its Decoration by Palladium Nanoparticles
International Conference on Advanced Computer Theory and Engineering, 4th (ICACTE 2011)
Chitosan-Based Drug Delivery Systems
Chitosan and Its Derivatives as Promising Drug Delivery Carriers