Hoseinzadeh, SiamakTaheri Otaghsara, S.M.Zakeri Khatir, M.H.Heyns, P.S. (Philippus Stephanus)2020-03-272020-03-272020-06Hoseinzadeh, S., Otaghsara, S.M.T., Khatir, M.H.Z. and Heyns, P.S. (2020), "Numerical investigation of thermal pulsating alumina/water nanofluid flow over three different cross-sectional channel", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 30 No. 7, pp. 3721-3735. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-09-2019-0671.0961-5539 (print)1758-6585 (online)10.1108/HFF-09-2019-0671http://hdl.handle.net/2263/73845PURPOSE : The purpose of this study is to investigate the pulsating flow in a three-dimensional channel. Channel flow is laminar and turbulent. After validation, the effect of different channel cross-sectional geometries (circular, hexagonal and triangular) with the pulsating flow are investigated. For this purpose, the alumina nanofluid was considered as a working fluid with different volume percentages (0 per cent [pure water], 3 per cent and 5 per cent). DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : In this study, the pulsatile flow was investigated in a three-dimensional channel. Channel flow is laminar and turbulent. FINDINGS : The results show that the fluid temperature decreases by increasing the volume percentage of particles of Al2O3; this is because of the fact that the input energy through the wall boundary is a constant value and indicates that with increasing the volume percentage, the fluid can save more energy at a constant temperature. And by adding Al2O3 nanofluid, thermal performance improves in channels, but it should be considered that the use of nanofluid causes a pressure drop in the channel. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : Alumina/water nanofluid with the pulsating flow was investigated and compared in three different cross-sectional channel geometries (circular, hexagonal and triangular). The effect of different volume percentages (0 per cent [pure water], 3 per cent and 5 per cent) of Al2O3 nanofluid on temperature, velocity and pressure are studied.en© 2019, Emerald Publishing LimitedComputational fluid dynamicsAlumina/waterCross-sectional geometryPulsate nanofluid flowEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-07SDG-07: Affordable and clean energyEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-09SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructureEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-13SDG-13: Climate actionPostprint Article