Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2016) 131: 96
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2016-16096-4

Regular Article

Electrohydrodynamic nanofluid flow and forced convective heat transfer in a channel

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mazandaran Institute of Technology, Babol, Iran
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Babol University of Technology, Babol, Iran

^* e-mail: m.sheikholeslami1367@gmail.com

Received: 14 October 2015
Revised: 21 January 2016
Accepted: 12 February 2016
Published online: 15 April 2016

Abstract

In this study the effect of an electric field on Fe₃O₄ -water nanofluid flow and heat transfer in a channel is studied. Two electrode plates are embedded in the bottom of the channel. The finite-volume method is used to simulate this problem. The effective thermal conductivity and viscosity of the nanofluid are calculated using the Maxwell-Garnetts (MG) and Brinkman models, respectively. The effects of the Reynolds number and voltage supply on hydrothermal behavior have been examined. The results show that the Nusselt number has direct relationship with the Reynolds number and voltage supply. The effect of the electric field on the rate of heat transfer is more sensible for low Reynolds number.