Experimental Investigation of Nanofluids on Solar Thermal Parabolic Trough Collector

Abstract

Solar parabolic trough collector is an upcoming and an important device being used as a popular thermal energy collecting option in the renewable energy sector. newlineThis design offers a very long life for its components and unlike photovoltaic panels does not use silica for its manufacturing. The unique feature of parabolic concentrator is that it can deliver working fluid at high temperatures so that they can be integrated easily to other operating thermal systems thereby increasing the overall efficiency of connected systems. newlineHowever, operating at higher temperatures leads to increased losses in terms of convection and radiation losses. Hence, it is pertinent to improve thermal efficiency of these collectors by use of highly conductive heat transfer fluids. Nano fluids are known to improve heat transfer compared to simple working fluid such as water. The objective is therefore to study performance enhancement of concentrated trough collectors by using non-conventional working fluids like nanofluids. Towards these goals, systematic methodology is developed to prepare three metallic oxide nanofluids and test their physical and thermal properties in the laboratory.Co3O4-H2O (Cobalt Oxide-Water),NiO-H2O (Nickel Oxide-Water) and TiO2-H2O (Titanium Oxide-Water) nanofluid samples were prepared from nanopowders and formulations of nanofluids. Nanofluids were tested at different particle concentrations and at varying temperatures. newline newline