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A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical Processes and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 January 2026 | Viewed by 3936

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Miguel Ángel Olivares-Robles

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

SEPI, ESIME-Culhuacan, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico 04430, Mexico
Interests: heat transfer; fluid flow; thermodynamics; thermoelectric systems; energy conversion; thermal engineering; heat exchangers

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid advancements in heat transfer and thermal management in thermoelectric energy conversion are being driven by the utilization of nano-enhanced phase change materials and nanofluids. It is crucial to explore cutting-edge heat transfer and thermal management developments for thermoelectric energy conversion, leveraging nano-enhanced phase change materials and nanofluids. This Special Issue delves into applying nano-enhanced phase change materials to improve energy efficiency. It discusses how these materials can optimize heat transfer and thermal management in thermoelectric energy conversion systems. The subject also explores examples of nano-enhanced phase change materials and their impact on energy conversion technologies. The primary focus of this subject is to utilize nanofluids in order to improve thermal management. The Issue will discuss how nanofluids can enhance heat transfer properties and contribute to more efficient thermal energy conversion.

Additionally, it explores the characteristics of nanofluids that make them suitable for thermal management applications, as well as examining the potential challenges and benefits of utilizing nanofluids in heat transfer systems. This Issue addresses current challenges and future opportunities in advancing thermoelectric energy conversion, specifically in heat transfer and thermal management. It discusses the potential for nano-enhanced materials and nanofluids to overcome existing limitations in thermoelectric systems. This Special Issue explores the research and development efforts being carried out to improve energy conversion efficiency through innovative heat transfer technologies.

Prof. Dr. Miguel Ángel Olivares-Robles
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

heat transfer
thermal management
thermoelectrics
nano-pCms
nanofluids
energy conversion

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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28 pages, 6411 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Numerical Study of Aerodynamic Drag Reduction and Heat Transfer Enhancement Using an Inclined Partition for Electronic Component Cooling

by Youssef Admi, Abdelilah Makaoui, Mohammed Amine Moussaoui and Ahmed Mezrhab

Processes 2025, 13(4), 1137; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13041137 - 10 Apr 2025

Viewed by 242

Abstract

This study presents a numerical investigation of fluid flow around a heated rectangular cylinder controlled by an inclined partition, aiming to suppress vortex shedding, reduce aerodynamic drag, and enhance thermal exchange. The double multiple relaxation time lattice Boltzmann method (DMRT-LBM) is employed to investigate the influence of Reynolds number variations and partition positions on the aerodynamic and thermal characteristics of the system. The results reveal the presence of three distinct thermal regimes depending on the Reynolds number. Increasing the Reynolds number intensifies thermal vortex shedding, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. Moreover, a higher Reynolds number leads to a greater reduction in the drag coefficient, reaching

125.41 %

for

R e = 250

. Additionally, improvements in thermal performance were quantified, with Nusselt number enhancements of

29.47 %

for

R e = 100

55.55 %

for

R e = 150, 74.78 %

for

R e = 200

, and

82.87 %

for

R e = 250

. The influence of partition positioning g on the aerodynamic performance was also examined at

R e = 150

, revealing that increasing the spacing g generally leads to a rise in the drag coefficient, thereby reducing the percentage of drag reduction. However, the optimal configuration was identified at

g = 2 d

, where the maximum drag coefficient reduction reached

130.97 %

. In contrast, the impact of g on the thermal performance was examined for

R e = 100, 150,

and

200

, revealing a significant heat transfer improvements on the top and bottom faces: reaching up to

99.47 %

on the top face for

R e = 200

g = 3 d

. Nevertheless, for all Reynolds numbers and partition placements, a decrease in heat transfer was observed on the front face due to the partition shielding it from the incoming flow. These findings underscore the effectiveness of an inclined partition in enhancing both the thermal and aerodynamic performance of a rectangular component. This approach holds strong potential for various industrial applications, particularly in aeronautics, where similar control surfaces are used to minimize drag, as well as in heat exchangers and electronic cooling systems where optimizing heat dissipation is crucial for performance and energy efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanofluids and Nano-PCMs in Heat Transfer)

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24 pages, 8640 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Numerical Study of Influence of Nanofluids on the Optimization of Heat Transfer in Immersion Cooling Systems

by Abdelilah Makaoui, Youssef Admi, Mohammed Amine Moussaoui and Ahmed Mezrhab

Processes 2025, 13(3), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13030620 - 21 Feb 2025

Viewed by 740

Abstract

The present study evaluates the heat transfer performance of an immersion liquid cooling system, utilizing copper-water (Cu-water) nanofluids under various flow and geometric conditions, including different Reynolds and Rayleigh numbers, nanoparticle volume fractions, and block spacing configurations. To this end, numerical simulations were conducted to assess the impact of these parameters on the system’s temperature distribution and overall cooling efficiency. The findings indicate that augmenting the Reynolds number from 100 to 500, and the nanoparticle volume fraction from 0% to 5%, at a Rayleigh number of 10⁵, results in substantial enhancements in heat transfer, with improvements reaching up to 193.8%. Furthermore, an increase in the Rayleigh number from 10³ to 10⁶, in conjunction with elevated nanoparticle concentrations at a Reynolds number of 500, yielded a heat transfer enhancement of up to 36.3%. These findings demonstrate that higher Reynolds and Rayleigh numbers promote better heat dissipation through increased convective flow and buoyancy-driven convection. Furthermore, the study underscores the pivotal function of block spacing in maximizing cooling efficacy. While closer spacing results in higher temperatures, wider spacing improves heat transfer efficiency by reducing thermal interference between blocks. The study emphasizes the synergistic effect of an enhanced thermal conductivity, strong convective flow, and optimal geometric configurations in maximizing cooling efficiency. These findings are of crucial importance for the design of more efficient thermal management systems, with applications in electronics cooling, energy systems, and industrial processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanofluids and Nano-PCMs in Heat Transfer)

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16 pages, 4980 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Case of Cooling and Heating in Rectangular Lid-Driven Cavities: Interplay of Richardson Numbers in Streamlines and Isotherms

by Edgar Alexandro Gonzalez-Zamudio, Miguel Angel Olivares-Robles and Andres Alfonso Andrade-Vallejo

Processes 2025, 13(2), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13020432 - 6 Feb 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 528

Abstract

The thermal and dynamic behavior of SiO₂ nanofluid was studied in a rectangular lid-driven cavity using the finite difference method. A non-adiabatic lid and a hot section at the bottom wall were considered in different heating and cooling cases. Three novel study [...] Read more.

T_{h}

(heat conduction through the left-side walls), a high hot temperature,

{2 T}_{h}

(heat conduction through the left-side walls), and a

{2 T}_{c}

high cold temperature (heat conduction through right-side walls). The Richardson number was varied between 10 and 100, and the lid direction. With a Richardson number of 10, the streamlines in the different cases tended to the formation of a central vortex with small vortices on the side walls, and the isotherms tended to a central one near the lower wall’s heated section and the homogenized temperature in the center of the cavity. At a Richardson number of 100, the streamlines produced a division in the cavity through a central vortex due to the heating of the bottom wall; this affected the isotherms, generating a prominent one in the center of the cavity and others near it. The generating decreased in the temperature near the bottom and top walls but increased in the middle of the cavity. The standard temperature case tended to behave similarly to the high cold temperature case but presented different temperatures, while the high hot temperature case generally maintained a slightly different behavior. These effects were more noticeable with the lid direction opposite X. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanofluids and Nano-PCMs in Heat Transfer)

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Review

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32 pages, 12239 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Comprehensive Review of Mixed Convective Heat Transfer in Tubes and Ducts: Effects of Prandtl Number, Geometry, and Orientation

by Mohd Farid Amran, Sakhr M. Sultan and C. P. Tso

Processes 2024, 12(12), 2749; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12122749 - 3 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1645

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive review of mixed convective heat transfer phenomena involving fluids with varying Prandtl numbers, specifically focusing on their behavior in different geometries and orientations. This study systematically explores heat transfer characteristics for fluids with low, medium, and high Prandtl numbers across a range of tube geometries, including circular, rectangular, triangular, and elliptical cross-sections, and examines their effects in both horizontal and vertical tube orientations. By consolidating existing research findings and analyzing various experimental and numerical studies, this review elucidates the complex interactions between fluid properties, tube geometry, and flow orientation that influence mixed convection heat transfer. Key insights are provided into the mechanisms driving heat transfer enhancements or degradations in different scenarios. In view of the findings from this paper, more than 84% of studies were conducted in a horizontal orientation and circular cross-section with a tendency to use medium-to-high Prandtl numbers as the working fluid for the past 10 years. This paper also identifies critical gaps in current knowledge and suggests future research directions to advance the understanding and application of mixed convective heat transfer in diverse engineering systems. Furthermore, apart from having different geometries applied in industrial applications, there is still room for improvement through the addition of passive methods to the heat transfer system, including helical coils, corrugations, swirl generators, and ribs. Overall, from the literature review, it is found that there are few relevant numerical simulations and experimental studies concentrating on middle Prandtl number fluids. Hence, it is recommended to perform more research on medium Prandtl number fluids that can be used as energy storage systems (ESS) in concentrating solar power plants, nuclear reactors, and geothermal systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanofluids and Nano-PCMs in Heat Transfer)

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