The addition of metal nanoparticles to coolants used in thermal control systems can dramatically increase the thermal conductivity of the base fluid. Such metal nanoparticle-fluid composite materials are referred to as nanofluids and their use as coolants has the potential to reduce the weight and power requirements of spacecraft thermal control systems. The thermal conductivity of nanofluids is dependent on the concentration, size, shape, surface chemistry, and aggregation state of the constituent nanoparticles. The effects of nanoparticle loading concentration and the aspect ratio of the nanoparticles on the thermal conductivity and viscosity of water and ethylene glycol based coolants were investigated. Silver nanorods with a diameter of 55 ± 12 nm and an average length of 12.8 ± 8.5 μm at a concentration of 0.5% by volume increased the thermal conductivity of water by 68%. The thermal conductivity of an ethylene glycol based coolant was increased by 98% with a silver nanorod loading concentration of 0.5% by volume. Longer nanorods had a greater effect on the thermal conductivity than shorter nanorods at the same loading density. However, longer nanorods also increased the viscosity of the base fluid to a greater extent than shorter nanorods.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Optimized Nanofluid Coolants for Spacecraft Thermal Control Systems


    Additional title:

    Sae Technical Papers



    Conference:

    International Conference On Environmental Systems ; 2007



    Publication date :

    2007-07-09




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Optimized Nanofluid Coolants for Spacecraft Thermal Control Systems

    Oldenburg, S. J. / Siekkinen, A. R. / Darlington, T. K. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2007


    Investigation of Hydrocarbon Fuels as Coolants of Spacecraft High-Temperature Structures

    Dreitser, G. A. / Myakochin, A. S. / Janovski, L. S. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1993


    Investigation of Hydrocarbon Fuels as Coolants of Spacecraft High-Temperature Structures

    Dreitser, G. A. / Myakochin, A. S. / Janovski, L. S. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1993


    ENGINE COOLANTS

    SAE Technical Papers | 1988


    Engine Coolants

    SAE Technical Papers | 2007