Thermophysical Properties of Nanoferrofluid (Fe3O4-Acetone/ZnBr2) as a Working Fluid for Use in Absorption Refrigeration Applications

Abstract

In this paper, thermophysical analyses were achieved for the mixture of (Fe3O4 -acetone/ZnBr2) refrigeration working solution and examine its efficiency characteristics as a nanoferrofluid for use in absorption refrigeration applications driven by different low temperatures sources. Where it shows an investigation of the chosen nanoferrofluid containing the preparation, stability, structure, and properties. The reasons behind choosing Fe3O(4) nanoparticles are that acetone is a good dispersivity medium for this kind of nanoparticles, also, their excellent thermophysical properties and magnetic property which give an ability to utilize them combined with applying an external magnetic field as a method for long and acceptable suspension stability of these nanoparticles in the base fluid thus enhancement in the heat transfer process in the generator of Absorption Refrigeration System (ARS). As a multi-factor experimental study, the experiments are designed to visually inspect the suspension nanoparticle's stability in the base fluid. Then presenting the thermophysical analysis of different properties of the mixture (thermal conductivity, density, dynamic viscosity, and specific heat capacity). The results elucidate that the studied nanoferrofluid has good dispersion and an enhancement in thermal conductivity that reaches 10.179 % at 0.2 (wt.%) of nanoparticle concentration. Also, by increasing nanoparticle concentration, the density increased, heat capacity decreased, as expected, and viscosity significantly increased.