Exploring the thermofluidic performance of hybrid nanofluids under variable flow conditions in a controlled thermal channel

Abstract

This study explores the convective heat transfer performance of CNT/MXene hybrid nanofluids related with conventional water in thermally controlled microchannels. To address these limits, the study includes hybrid nanofluids, vortex generators, pulsating flows, disposed V-shaped baffles, and biomimetic cooling architectures to improve thermal transport and fluid mixing. The major contributions contain improved heat transfer measurements, greater thermal conductivity, uniform temperature regulation, and reduced flow regions. The motivation of the work is determined by the collective demand for well-organized cooling technologies in electronic devices, energy systems, and microchannel heat exchangers. The main objective was to experimentally relate CNT/MXene nanofluids with water under varying Reynolds numbers and geometrical conditions to exploit cooling efficiency, thermal stability, and overall thermofluidic performance in turbulent flow systems. The methodology involved experimental evaluation of CNT/MXene hybrid nanofluids under 50 °C wall-heating conditions using varying Reynolds numbers (10,000–25,000), nanoparticle concentrations (0.15–0.20%), channel height ratios (h/d = 4–16), and inclination angles (0°–360°). Temperature distributions were detected using T1–T4 thermocouples to assess thermal stability and heat transfer characteristics. The results showed that the nanofluid promoted convective heat transfer by 34% and reduced stabilization time by 22%, with optimal performance at 0.20% concentration and h/d = 4. The experimental results demonstrate that the CNT/MXene hybrid nanofluid provides up to 34% enhancement in convective heat transfer compared with the reference fluid, while the thermal stabilization time is reduced by approximately 22%. The maximum thermal performance was obtained at a nanoparticle concentration of 0.20% and an h/d ratio of 4 under the investigated operating conditions. The propagated experimental uncertainty was evaluated for the principal measured and calculated parameters and is considered in assessing the reliability of the reported enhancement.