Performance analysis and optimization of A solar collector integrated with Pulsating heat pipe and compound Parabolic concentrator

Abstract

Our universe is introducing new technologies daily; the future is newlinescrolling faster than we think. Solar energy utilisation abundantly increases, same newlineside the fossil fuel usage become a limited source and creates more pollution. newlineSolar energy is utilized by converting solar radiation into heat or other forms newlineof energy using various technical instruments like solar collectors, PV, etc. newlineSolar collectors are most common and simple equipment to collect solar energy newlineand convert into heat energy. The converted heat energy is utilized in many newlineapplications from domestic water heating to industrial uses. newlineThe pulsating heat pipe is an efficient system that achieves a high newlineheat transfer coefficient due to its oscillating fluid flow. This study focuses on newlineimproving the thermal performance of the compound parabolic solar collector newlinesystem with different nanofluids. The main objective of this work is to enhance newlinethe thermal performance of the solar Compound Parabolic Concentrator system newlineby introducing nanofluid combinations of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) and Graphene newlineOxide (GO) with distilled water as working fluid in PHP. The cobalt and newlinegraphene oxides are mixed with distilled water at two proportions such as 0.5% newlineand 1%. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of Co3O4/graphene newlineconfirmed that cobalt well coincides with a graphene sheet. It has caused a newlinestrong reduction in the agglomeration of the cobalt oxide particle. It will newlineimprove the thermal properties. Thermal conductivity of the working fluids 1% newline(Co3O4, GO),0.5% (Co3O4, GO) are 0.78W/mK,0.76W/mK respectively. newlineThe PHP was made with a copper tube with an overall length of newline550 mm, and the outer diameter of the tube is 3.3 mm. The PHP was filled with newlinenanofluid at a filling ratio of 50%. There are five turns in the PHP absorbers, newlineand each turn has a thermocouple connected to the tube. newline