College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Term of Award

Spring 2026

Degree Name

Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (restricted to Georgia Southern)

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Committee Chair

Mosfequr Rahman

Committee Member 1

Valentin Soloiu

Committee Member 2

Marcel Ilie

Abstract

A three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was developed in ANSYS Fluent to simulate coolant flow and heat transfer through the radiator. The model incorporated conjugate heat transfer between the coolant, tubes and fins. Simulations were conducted under both natural and forced convection conditions at a coolant inlet temperature of 91.5°C and velocity of 0.5 m/s. Water and water-based nanofluids containing aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), copper oxide (CuO), tin oxide (SnO₂), and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles at volume concentrations of 0.1 to 5% were investigated. The CFD model was validated using experimental data obtained from a previously conducted radiator test bench, showing good agreement for water. The results demonstrated that introduction of nanoparticles improved thermal performance. For example, 1% concentration of Al₂O₃ nanofluid produced an outlet temperature of 85.53°C and heat transfer rate of 946.78W compared to water with outlet temperature of 85.69°C and heat transfer rate of 937.35W respectively. Also, forced convection significantly enhanced radiator performance, increasing the heat transfer rate of water by over 245% compared to natural convection.

Research Data and Supplementary Material

No

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