GUWAHATI: Researchers of Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have created a novel heat transfer fluid based on nanofluids, which can address the global water scarcity issue.
The cutting-edge technology of IIT Guwahati offers an efficient means of transferring heat generated from solar power to desalination systems, potentially revolutionising the production of freshwater from seawater.
Led by Prof. Tamal Banerjee of the Department of Chemical Engineering, the researchers have developed the new technology which can provide a solution to the growing issue of global water scarcity.
With the world grappling with an escalating water crisis that surpasses population growth, the demand for desalination has never been more critical.
To address these challenges, the researchers from IIT Guwahati explored the use of nanofluids, which are suspensions of nanoparticles in Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES).
The research team harnessed the exceptional thermal conductivity and stability of graphene oxide dispersed in a DES—a safe and environmentally friendly solvent.
By modifying graphene oxide with an amine functionality, they successfully achieved enhanced dispersion stability, effectively preventing the clumping of nanoparticles.
This groundbreaking study has unveiled the superior thermal properties of nanofluids in heat transfer applications.
The researchers have also introduced an innovative desalination system that utilises nanofluids and a heat exchanger.
The system aims to achieve an impressive Gain Output Ratio (GOR) of approximately 10, signifying the potential to generate a significantly larger quantity of freshwater.
The findings of this research have been published in the journal "Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering" by the American Chemical Society.
The project received funding from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
