The current work investigates effective heat removal through enhancements in heat transfer coefficient (HTC), critical heat flux (CHF) and other thermal characteristics through the use of nanofluids prepared from ZnO nanoparticles and AgZnO hybrid nanoparticles. Also, a comparative performance analysis of Ag/ZnO hybrid nanofluids, ZnO nanofluids and DI water is done for heat removal through pool boiling. A test piece made from copper with a cylindrical geometry of 20 mm diameter was deployed as a heating surface for experimentation.
Preparation of stable nanofluids through an ultra-sonicator involved stable dispersion of the hybrid nanoparticles in base fluid at concentrations (∅): 0.02%, 0.06% and 0.1% for boiling experiments. During pool boiling experimentation, the increased concentration of nanoparticles led to the elevation of crucial parameters like CHF and HTC. Excellent gains (~180%) in HTC and (~66%) in CHF were seen at ∅ = 0.1% for Ag/ZnO hybrid nanofluids than DI water and considerably higher than the enhancements through ZnO nanofluids. Any attempt to increase the nanofluid concentration above ∅ > 0.1% stalled further heat transfer.