AQUENE, as a nanofluid, maintains chemical stability, kinetic stability and dispersion stability. When AQUENE displaces water in a closed loop chilled water system, it enhances the heat transfer within the chiller’s evaporator tubes and at the cooling coil tubes of the Air-Handling and Fan Coil Units (AHUs/FCUs). AQUENE increases the heat transfer in the tubes by causing disturbances in the boundary layer due to nanoparticle movements and this delays the process of the formation of the boundary layer. This delayed formation increases the entrance length where no boundary layer exists and therefore more than normal heat transfer happens.

The graphene nanoparticles in AQUENE also potentially cause an early shift of the flow pattern from laminar to turbulent and this again results in enhanced heat transfer. System energy reduction happens mainly when the compressor starts to ramp down (modulate/ closing of guide vane or slide valve etc.) much earlier due to enhanced heat transfer in the evaporator. Due to the faster rate of boiling of the refrigerant in the evaporator shell, compressor energy consumption is much lower. The high thermal conductivity of AQUENE also adds to the superior convective heat transfer performance.

AQUENE is prepared by sonicating functionalized graphene with pre-treated water. The synthesis is done to maintain the chemical stability, kinetic stability and dispersion stability of AQUENE. Both covalent and non-covalent methods are used to produce various mixes of AQUENE. The final product can be used directly in cooling and heating systems, replacing water. In other cases, certain slurry-like mixes can be produced and packed for our global partners to prepare the final AQUENE solution based on the formulations provided by us.