Combined "heat transfer and power dissipation" optimization of nanofluid flows

This letter exercises the importance of maximizing the thermal performance of nanofluid flows under appropriate constraints. Laminar and turbulent boundary layer flows in forced and natural convection are considered. The objective is to maximize the heat transfer rate removed from a warm plate by the nanofluid. In forced convection, the power dissipation is constrained to highlight the competing effects of the thermal conductivity and viscosity variations due to the presence of the particles. In natural convection, the competition is intrinsic to the problem formulation. The amount of particles is optimized in each case. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.