Experimental Study on the Motorcycle Radiator Cooling Performance with the Effect of Nano ZnO

An internal combustion engine requires a proper cooling system to release heat from the engine. The working fluid or coolant in a water-cooled engine impacts the overall radiator cooling performance. Several studies show that nanopowder can increase the thermal performance of the base fluids, although the pressure drops increase significantly. This paper describes the experimental research of motorcycle radiator cooling performance using nanopowder ZnO with distilled water and commercial coolant as the base fluids. The results show that the boiling point of all nanofluids increases with the highest boiling point achieved by 0.5% ZnO � coolant, i.e., 110.06�C. Thus, the nanopowder will keep the cooling fluid in the liquid phase and lower the fluids specific heat. Nanofluid 0.5% ZnO � coolant gives the highest temperature drops and overall heat transfer coefficient among other nanofluids or the base fluids. Unfortunately, nanopowder also increases pressure drop by approximately twice the base liquid. The next research should analyze the effect of Nanopowder ZnO on the surface of the radiator and pipe with which the ZnO is in contact. Before implementing ZnO in an actual motorcycle radiator, it is necessary to study the effect of the nanopowder on the surface of the cooling passage of the motorcycle.