Abstract

Background: Nanoparticle aggregation affects nanofluid thermal conductivity. Objective: Several aspects of aggregation modeling pertinent to nanofluid thermal conductivity estimation are to be discussed.

Method: Mathematical analysis is performed using the macroscopic aggregation equations. Results: Some plausable types of models are identified and their positive and negative features evaluated. A number of explicit solutions relevant to nanofluid thermal conductivity modeling are presented.

Conclusion: Modeling techniques of varying levels of sophistication exist which should be further pursued and evaluated.

Keywords: Nanofluid, aggregation, modeling, thermal conductivity, evolution equation, fragmentation.