The thermophysical properties like thermal conductivity and viscosity of Al2O3 nanofluid is determined through experiments at different volume concentrations and temperatures and validated. Convective heat transfer coefficient and friction factor data at various volume concentrations for flow in a plain tube and with twisted tape insert is determined experimentally for Al2O3 nanofluid. Experiments are conducted in the Reynolds number range of 10,000-22,000 with tapes of different twist ratios in the range of 0 < H/D < 83. The heat transfer coefficient and friction factor of 0.5% volume concentration of Al2O3 nanofluid with twist ratio of five is 33.51% and 1.096 times respectively higher compared to flow of water in a tube. A generalized regression equation is developed for the estimation of Nusselt number and friction factor valid for both water and nanofluid in plain tube and with inserts under turbulent flow conditions. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.