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Abstract
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Molecular dynamics simulation is applied to investigate the nanofluid flow in a rough nanochannel with a focus on the aggregation phenomena via three-dimensional Poiseuille flow system. Nanochannel consists of spherical Copper nanoparticles dispersed in Argon as base fluid containing surface roughness regularly distributed on both its lower and upper walls. The Lennard-Jones potential is used to model the interactions between particles and periodic boundary condition is applied in the flow direction. The typical nanofluid microstructure, enthalpy distribution and aggregation rate for nanofluid flow in rough nanochannel are all investigated and compared with smooth nanochannel. The simulation results show that the surface roughness is very important in determining the nanorheology of nanofluid flow inside nanochannels. It is observed that the presence of surface roughness induces extra energy losses and contributes to the reduction of aggregation time in nanochannel when compared with smooth surface. So, in order to make delay in the aggregation of nanoparticles in nanofluid flow, the nanochannels wall should be manufactured very smooth.
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