Numerical study of turbulent flow and heat transfer of a nano fluid in a circular tube with twisted tape insert

Nano fluids have higher thermal conductivities compared to fluids and increase the heat transfer coefficient. In addition, twisted tapes have also shown to increase the heat transfer coefficient with a relatively small pressure loss penalty. This numerical study is conducted in order to gain an understanding of behavior of the thermal and nano fluid flow in turbulent flow regime in the tube with twisted tape insert. Convective heat transfer coefficient and friction factor of nano fluid for flow in a tube with twisted tape insert is determined numerically and validated. Effects of the various volume concentration of nano fluid on heat transfer enhancement (Nu) and friction factor (f) are numerically investigated for twisted tapes at different twist ratios. This analysis indicates the heat transfer coefficient and friction factor of nano fluid in a tube with twisted tape is higher compared to flow of water in a tube with twisted tape.