Conventional heat transfer fluids such as water and ethylene glycol (EG) can be used for cooling fluids in car radiators, and have relatively poor heat transfer performance. One of the methods for increasing heat transfer in car radiator is using nanofluids. Nanofluids as a new technology are obtained by dispersing nanoparticles on the base fluids. In the present study, CuO (60nm) nanoparticles were used in a mixture of water/EG as a base fluid. Then, the thermal performance of a car radiator was studied. Therefore, the experiment was performed for different volumetric concentrations (0.05-0.8 Vol%) of nanofluids in different flow rates (4-8 lit/min) and inlet temperatures (35, 44, 54°C). The result showed that nanofluid clearly enhanced heat transfer compare to the base fluid. In the best condition, the heat transfer coefficient enhancement of about 55% compared to the base fluid was recorded.

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