A Rational Extended Thermodynamic Model for Nanofluids

A model of quasilinear differential equations is derived in the context of Rational Extended Thermodynamics to investigate some non-equilibrium phenomena in nanofluids. Following the classical Buongiorno approach, the model assumes nanofluids to be suspensions of two phases: nanoparticles and the base fluid. The field variables are the classical ones and, in addition, the stress tensors and the heat fluxes of both constituents. Balance laws for all field variables are assumed. The obtained system is not closed; therefore, universal physical principles, such as Galilean Invariance and the Entropy Principles, are invoked to close the set of field equations. The obtained model is also written in terms of the whole nanofluid and compared with the classical Buongiorno model. This allowed also the identifications of some parameters in terms of experimental data. The obtained set of field equations has the advantage to recover the Buongiorno model when the phenomena are near equilibrium. At the same time it consists of a hyperbolic set of field equations. Hyperbolicity guarantees finite speeds of propagation and more suitable descriptions of transient regimes. The present model can be used in order to investigate waves, shocks and other phenomena that can be easily described in hyperbolic systems. Furthermore, as a first application and in order to show the potential of the model, stationary 1D solutions are determined and some thermal properties of nanofluids are studied. The solution exhibits, already in the simplest case herein considered, a more accurate evaluation of some fields like the stress tensor components.