• REFERENTS:
  SIMONA BARISON
  FILIPPO AGRESTI
  VALENTINA ZIN
  

• UNITS:
  PADUA
  

In addition to thermal exchange properties, recently it has been observed that the dispersion of nanoparticles of different chemical nature, morphology and size in lubricating oils can confer anti-friction properties considerably higher than that of raw fluids. Most recent studies on multi-generation systems have shown, on a laboratory scale, the effectiveness of anti-wear properties of nano-refrigerants /nano-lubricants, which, keeping constant the power efficiency, would allow to decrease the volumes of fluid employed, and therefore the overall dimensions, and increase the lifetime of the engine, by reducing damage of the mechanical components involved in tribological couplings. Their use in various devices / systems may lead to considerable energy savings due to the reduction of friction / wear phenomena, which involve considerable energy consumption, but still much research must be carried out especially to evaluate the stability with time.
In recent years the group has developed different types of nanofluids, by dispersing various types of nanoparticles (silver, copper, titanium oxide, carbon nanohorns, iron oxide) in different base fluids (water, glycol, lubricating oils). These fluids have been tested tested for thermal exchange properties or lubrication, depending on the application field of the base fluid used for their preparation.