Recent advancements in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling of nanofluids: A Review

Abstract

The present study focuses on providing a comprehensive review of modelling nanofluids containing both metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles using Computational Fluid Dynamics within last ten years. CFD is a prominent branch of fluid mechanics employed by scientists and engineers to numerically solve complex fluid flow equations using discretisation methods. In this study, different approaches in CFD were reviewed including Eulerian-Lagrangian, Eulerian-Eulerian, and single-phase approaches for modelling nanofluid problems. This literature review includes the topics such as forced and natural convection heat transfer, thermal conductivity enhancement, and CFD simulations of nanofluids. Based on the findings, it is concluded that while the Eulerian-Lagrangian method is considered the best CFD technique compared to other methods in CFD, Eulerian-Eulerian is the most effective and computationally efficient method in modelling nanofluid-based fluid flow problems. Apart from the advancements in CFD techniques, the study highlights a current gap in the literature: the absence of a dedicated numerical solution for precisely forecasting the hydrodynamic of two-phase flow in nanofluids.

KEYWORDS: Numerical Modelling, Nanofluid, CFD, Flow Simulation, Multiflows