In this paper, the heat transfer performance of nanofluids is predicted by numerical analysis methods. The nanoparticles used in this study is SiO2, with concentrations of 1, 2, 3vol.%, and the base fluid is water. Reynolds number of nanofluids ranges from 10,000 to 50,000. A numerical study on the heat transfer characteristics of nanofluid was conducted using a single-phase model. The temperature of the fluid entering from the inlet of the tube is 293.15K. A constant heat flux of 31,650W/m2 was applied at the wall, and the thickness of the wall was ignored. Heat transfer coefficients, thermal conductivity and Nusselt number were selected as indicators for comparing heat transfer performance of nanofluids. As the nanofluid concentration increases, the temperature and velocity distribution by the cross section of the coil tube and straight tube increased. As the Reynolds number increases, temperature difference between inner direction and outer direction reduced in coil tube. For straight tube, the temperature difference between the wall and the center of the tube also decreased.

Lubricant-based nanofluids were prepared by dispersing carbon nanoparticles in gear oil. In this study, the effects of the particle size, shape and dispersity of the particles on the tribological properties of nanofluids were investigated. Dispersion experiments were conducted with a high-speed bead mill and an ultrasonic homogenizer, and the surfaces of the nanoparticles were simultaneously modified with several dispersants. The effective thermal conductivity of the nanofluids was measured by the transient hot-wire method, and the tribological behaviors of the nanofluids were also investigated with a disk-on-disk tribo-tester. The results of this study clearly showed that the combination of the nanoparticles, the deagglomeration process, the dispersant and the dispersion solvent is very important for the dispersity and tribological properties of nanofluids. Lubricant-based nanofluids showed relatively low thermal conductivity enhancement, but they were highly effective in decreasing the frictional heat that was generated. For nanofluids containing 0.1vol.% graphite particles in an oil lubricant, The friction coefficient in the boundary and fluid lubrication range was reduced to approximately 70% of the original value of pure lubricant.

Oil-based nanofluids were prepared by dispersing Ag, graphite and carbon black nanoparticles in lubricating oil. Agglomerated nanoparticles were dispersed evenly with a high-speed bead mill and/or ultrasonic homogenizer, and the surfaces of the nanoparticles were modified simultaneously with several dispersants. Their tribological behaviors were evaluated with a pin-on-disk, disk-on-disk and four-ball EP and wear tester. It is obvious that the optimal combination of nanoparticles, surfactants and surface modification process is very important for the dispersity of nanofluids, and it eventually affects the tribological properties as a controlling factor. Results indicate that a relatively larger size and higher concentration of nanoparticles lead to better load-carrying capacity. In contrast, the use of a smaller size and lower concentration of particles is recommended for reducing the friction coefficient of lubricating oil. Moreover, nanofluids with mixed nanoparticles of Ag and graphite are more suitable for the improvement of load-carrying capacity and antiwear properties.