Numerical analysis of pulsating forced convection in a backward facing step flow subjected to nanofluids

In this study pulsating forced convection in a backward facing step flow subjected to water based nanofluids has been investigated numerically. Study is performed for different Reynolds numbers (based on the step height) in the range of 10 and 200, different inlet velocity and different Strouhal number. Water-based nanofluids of various compositions containing metallic Al2O3 and Cu nanoparticles with volume fractions ranging from 1% to 5% were examined, and the effects of the nanofluids on the heat transfer were quantified. All numerical solutions were carried out by using acommercial finite volume software package called FLUENT. The effects of various pertinent parameters, Reynolds number,and pulsating frequency on the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics are numerically studied. When the nanofluids compared with water, heat transfer is not observed alteration. Because the difference of temperature between hot surface and fluid is not very high. While Cu nanoparticles volume fraction increases, the development of heat transfer is beter than of all.