10.1515 - Eng 2022 0337
10.1515 - Eng 2022 0337
Research Article
Open Access. © 2022 the author(s), published by De Gruyter. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
License.
Enhancement of heat transfer from solar thermal collector using nanofluid 969
rely on fossil fuels for our energy needs. Therefore, (b) Challenges
improving the efficiency of solar technology is crucial. Though nanofluids improve heat transfer, there
Today, solar PV has proven to be competitive with fossil are some barriers to their adoption, including:
fuels. However, the temperature rises of solar cells, which i. A generation. Manufacturing and preparation
affects their electrical efficiency, is a big concern. So, costs are high.
researchers developed a different way to eliminate addi- ii. The use of nanofluids leads to high operating
tional heat from these devices and use nanotechnology costs due to increased pumping work.
to lower their temperature to increase their electrical iii. If the system is operated under natural convec-
efficiency. Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field tion and carried too high temperatures, the nano-
that brings together engineering, science, and knowl- particles will aggregate and behave unstable.
edge of microscopic scale. Nanotechnology can be used iv. Nanoparticles can attack and corrode metal parts
for various applications, including materials science, of the system and even block flow paths. Corrosion
biology, and engineering. Nanotechnology can play an depends on the material of the pipe. For example,
active role in solar energy by substituting working even with water or nanofluids, corruption does not
media with nanofluids. Nanofluids are heat transfer occur when using stainless steel tubes, but corro-
fluids that could allow the solar system to emit more sion is evenly distributed throughout the pipe
heat [11]. when using copper tubes.
v. Many authors believe that nanoparticles can
have detrimental consequences on the environ-
ment and human health.
1.1 Conceptual framework of nanofluid
harness this energy, including solar panels Solar thermal According to the survey, Al2O3 and carbon nanotubes are the
collectors are systems that can use solar energy for heating most commonly used nanoparticles, while water is the most
and cooling. A heat transfer fluid is used in these collectors widely used base fluid. Most studies have been performed on
to direct the collected solar radiation where it is needed. indirect solar panels; however, researchers have recently
Scientists have proposed various collector designs and focused on direct absorption techniques. The thermal con-
improved collector materials to increase the conversion ductivity of the working fluid is critical in indirect absorption
efficiency of solar panels. Solar collectors convert solar collectors, while optical properties are essential in natural
energy into the internal energy of a liquid medium. Due absorption collectors. Therefore, for solar collector applica-
to their simple structure and low cost, solar panels are a tions, optimization of the visual and thermophysical proper-
viable heating solution for buildings and industrial appli- ties of the nanofluid is recommended. Wole-Osho et al. [16]
cations. A solar collector is usually an essential part of any discussed the effect of nanomaterials on the overall perfor-
solar thermal system; it receives sunlight and converts it mance of solar collectors. The article also addresses the
into heat energy. restrictions of using nanofluids in solar collectors and the
Rooftop solar collectors are 60–70% efficient and are difficulties. Most solar panels use nanofluids to improve
used to disperse solar thermal energy in buildings. Solar the overall efficiency; however, until some issues related
thermal energy can also be used to generate electricity to nanofluids stability, and general probability are addressed,
in various industrial situations. It turns out that solar the promise of nanofluids in heat transfer applications
thermal power is cheaper than photovoltaic cells. cannot be achieved. Nagarajan et al. [17] explained the
effects of nanofluids which are nascent liquids with thermal
properties far superior to traditional fluids. Nanofluids can
2 Review of related studies attain the maximum thermal performance at the lowest
possible concentration through the uniform dispersion and
Omisanya et al. [14] presented multiple studies showing stable suspension of nanoparticles in the bulk liquid. Nano-
that the addition of nanofluids can significantly increase fluids are used in various thermal applications, including
the efficiency of solar panels, with thermal conductivity automobiles, and power generation. Improving heat transfer
up to 160% and reductions in greenhouse gases such as in solar collectors is the most critical challenge in energy
carbon dioxide. Nanoparticles like aluminum oxide (Al2O3), savings, compact design, and many operating temperatures.
mixed ZnO added to Al2O3, and metal particles (aluminum In this work, the literature on its thermophysical properties
and copper) are dispersed in base fluid-like H2O, glycerol, and the use of solar collectors with nanofluids is collected
and biological fluids to produce nanofluids. The fluid visc- and evaluated. The conventional heat transfer using nano-
osity, rate of absorption, coefficient of convective heat fluids and their special applications in solar panels have
transfer, and heat loss were all improved by adding nano- been described in recent literature.
particles. The performance of many types of nanofluids in Sopain et al. [18] using nanofluids for cooling, which
the kinds of solar collectors, such as flat plate, parabolic is becoming increasingly important in various industrial
trough, evacuated tube, and direct absorption, is described applications. Compared with conventional fluids, nano-
in detail. Furthermore, the study sheds light on coming fluids improve the heat transfer rate, optical properties,
trends and issues (including toxicity). In spite of their thermal properties, efficiency, and transmission and extinc-
toxicity, investigators are increasingly interested in using tion coefficients of solar systems. The effect of different
nanofluids in solar panels because of their excellent envir- nanofluids on the cooling speed and the efficiency of the
onmental properties and are exploring hybrid nanofluids solar system had been investigated experimentally. For this
to improve solar panels. Different nanofluids at different reason, this review article discusses the impact of nano-
concentrations can also be used to tune solar panels. fluids on the efficiency and environmental benefits of the
Anbarsooz et al. [15] improved the heat transfer rate system. According to literature reviews, many researchers
of solar collectors, which is critical to minimize system have explored the potential of nanofluids to cool various
size. However, many methods of increasing the heat solar panels. This study also outlines the performance
transfer rate from the absorber to the heat transfer fluid studies of solar collectors using nanofluids as working med-
have been proposed in the literature. The most important iums, such as flat plate collectors and direct solar absorp-
ways are using vacuum receivers, adding vortex genera- tion collectors. The effect of surface area to volume ratio on
tors/turbulators, and using various nanofluids as heat thermal conductivity is greater than that of nanoparticle sur-
transfer fluids. This study explores progress in improving face area. Ghasemi and Mehdizadeh Ahangar [19] compared
heat transfer in solar collectors by using different nanofluids. the traditional parabolic collectors with nanofluid-based
Enhancement of heat transfer from solar thermal collector using nanofluid 971
collectors, evaluating the temperature field, thermal effi- and CuO with 0.05, 0.075, and 1% for each type. These types
ciency, and average outlet temperature, while studying the were selected according to the good thermal conductivity
effects of numerous factors for example the velocity of compared with other types especially since there is no com-
fluid, nanoparticles, volume fractions and concentration parison study mentioned between those types for the same
ratios etc. They concluded that adding trace amounts system of the solar collectors.
of copper nanoparticles to the base fluid significantly
improved the endothermic capacity. They found that thermal
and optical efficiencies and higher exit temperatures could 3 Experimental setup
be improved during the investigation, and the effects of
concentration ratio, the volume percent of nanoparticles, The schematic diagram of the experimental work is depicted
and collector length could be investigated. Therefore, in Figure 1. The key characteristics of the conical solar col-
nanofluid-based parabolic concentrators outperform con- lector are as follows. The collector consists of a conical
ventional collectors in terms of efficiency. With new options, concentrator with a tracking system, a cylindrical absorber,
Sharma and Kundan [20] conducted an experimental study a flexible core water pipe, and a data logger device. The
of nanofluid-based concentrating parabolic solar panels. system was built in an open space to make the most of
They investigated the conclusion of Al and CuO nanoparti- the sunlight. The truncated cones are steel and supported
cles in H2O as the working medium in an experimental para- by a structural frame that allows movement. A truncated
bolic solar collector. Mass flow rates were 60, 40, and 20 L/h, cone-shaped collector is used to concentrate sunlight. An
and a volume concentration of 0.01% nanoparticles was integrated structure of tiny conical and cylindrical tubes
investigated, with nanoparticles ranging in size from 20 to forms the absorbing surface. The diameter of the dish
30 nm. In addition, they compared water/alumina nano- was 90 cm and the receiver diameter was 10 cm with
fluids with CuO nanofluids and found that using copper 25 cm in length. The height of the dish from the ground
oxide nanofluids as working fluids could improve overall was 100–125 cm to prevent any effect of the ground heat on
efficiency of the system. Li et al. [21] used vigorous stirring the dish temperature.
and ultrasonic dispersion to prepare nanofluids enclosing A Type K TP-01 thermometer recorder was connected
aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, and magnesium oxide nano- to record the temperature and TC-920 thermometer cali-
particles with condensed water as the base fluid. The forced brator was used to calibrate the thermocouples. The cali-
convection heat transfer performance of the as-prepared brated curvature of thermocouple readings is shown in
nanofluids was investigated in a tubular solar collector. In Figure 2, which yields an error of 2.80%.
the experiments, the heat transfer efficiencies of oxide, zinc
oxide, and magnesium oxide nanoparticles were higher than
in distilled water. The temperature difference between the 3.1 Nanoparticle selection
nanofluid and distilled water is 1.0% by volume. Aluminum
oxide, zinc oxide, and magnesium oxide nanoparticles can Nanoparticles of NiO, Al2O3, and CuO were mixed with a
all reach 3°C in a day–night cycle. During the day, from 6:00 base fluid to prepare a nanofluid. These nano particles
am to 6:00 pm, the maximum temperature difference between was chosen for its high thermal conductivity, low cost,
nanofluid and distilled water occurs around 10:00 am, while and chemical inertness for use as the base fluid. The
the maximum temperature between nanofluid and distilled nanoparticles were added to the main fluid and stirred
water is around 3:00 pm. The nighttime temperature of the well. Volume fractions of 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1% were used
nanofluid was more than 1°C, higher than that of distilled to prepare the nanofluids.
water, suggesting that the nanofluid can store more thermal
energy. The viscosity and heat transfer efficiency increased
with the increase the Zinc oxide nanofluid concentration.
Also, at 0.2 vol%, the temperature modification between zinc
oxide nanofluid and pure water can reach up to 2.55°C con-
centration of 0.2% by volume. Concentrated zinc oxide nano-
fluids are attractive options for solar energy consumption due
to their low viscosity and excellent heat transfer capability.
In this article, the concentrations of different types of
nanoparticles throughout the conical solar collector were
examined. The nanofluids were nickel oxide (NiO), Al2O3, Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the experimental work.
972 Ghassan Fadhil Smaisim et al.
00
10 organized in three different base liquids (distilled water), as
Thermocouple Reading °C 90
9 Y= 0.9924 X+0.7
7012 shown in Figure 3, and at three different volume fraction
80
8 concentrations (0.1, 0.075, and 0.05%). The volume of the
70
7 nanoparticle was compared to the base liquid defined by
60
6
50
5
φ = Vp/ Vt . (1)
40
4 In addition, nanoparticles mass was defined by
30
3
20
2 mp = 1 × 10−3φρp . (2)
10
1
And nanofluid density by
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 ρnf = (1 − ϕ)ρf + ϕρp . ρnf = (1 − φ)ρf + φρp (3)
Thermometer Reading °C
And nanofluid heat capacity by [11]
Figure 2: Calibration curve of thermocouple reading.
φρp Cpp + (1 − φ)ρf Cpf
Cpnf = . (4)
ρnf
3.2 Operational methodology
The features of pure water and NiO, Al2O3, and CuO
The cylindrical absorber is filled with nano-liquid, and nanoparticles at 300 K are illustrated in Table 1.
the water is circulated inside the receiver using a spiral Nanoparticles are weighed with high precision using
copper tube, as presented in Figure 3. The water mass flow an electronic balance, and nanofluids are produced under
was kept constant at 8.33 × 10−3 kg/s and a 1.3 L absorber was vacuum conditions using a vacuum device to avoid contam-
filled with nanofluid, while the entire experimental setup ination and oxidation of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles
was kept in an open area for solar radiation. The photons were stirred for 20 min using a magnetic stirrer and a hot
are bound by the collector and directed to the absorber. plate at a temperature of 250°C after magnetic stirring. The
Thermocouples are used to record the temperature. nanoparticles remain agglomerated and in stable suspen-
sion using the model MTI Corporation.
Nanofluids were prepared using the method described by 3.4 Field emission scanning electron
Sallal et al. [22] as a two-stage process. First, the required microscopy (FESEM) analysis
weight of the nanoparticles were measured using digital
sensitive balance and then the nanoparticles were mixed FESEM micrographs of nanofluid analysis after sonication
with distilled water. The prepared dry nano powders were for solutions of different initial concentrations of NiO, Al2O3,
Fluid at 300 K Thermal conductivity (W/m K) Density (kg/m3) Heat capacity (J/kg K)
35
Water
30 0.1% NiO
0.075% NiO
3.5 Analysis the results 25 0.05% NiO
20
Focusing collectors have different thermal behavior than 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
flat-plate collectors due to the different shapes of the DAY TIME (HOURS)
receivers. As a result, the temperature and conductivity (a)
of the focused collector are advanced, and the radiation 55
flux across the receiver is less uniform. The following 50
equations can be used to determine the thermal perfor-
TEMPERATURE (0C)
45
mance of a conical collector [11].
40
Qu = Ar [C (ραγ )Hb − UL(T − Ta ) − εσ (T 4 − Ta 4), (5) 35
Water
0.1% Al2O3
which is then modified as in ref. [11], 30
0.075% Al2O3
25 0.05% Al2O3
Qu = FRAa [S − (Ar / Aa )UL(Tfi − Ta )]. (6)
20
The actual or useful heat Qu equals the sensible heat 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
removed by the fluid through the receiver and can be DAY TIME (HOURS)
UO = [1/ UL + DO / hi Di + DOln(DO / Di ) / 2k ]−1 , (10) Figure 5: Comparison of temperature for (a) NiO nanofluid, (b) Al2O3
nanofluid, and (c) CuO nanofluid at different concentrations.
974 Ghassan Fadhil Smaisim et al.
where Uo = 5 W/m2 K is the average overall heat transfer Al2O3, and CuO nanoparticles at 0.1% concentration were
coefficient, whereas UL = 5.4 W/m2K is the average loss 51.75, 52.5, and 56.5°C, respectively, while the lowest tem-
coefficient. The collector’s aperture area Aa is 0.9675 m2, peratures were 44.7, 45.5 and 47.3°C respectively. Figure 6
whereas the recovering area Ar is 0.12011 m2. This conical explains the behavior of different nanofluids at 0.1%.
collector’s concentration ratio is 8.091. It can be concluded that CuO has the best results for
The collector efficiency is calculated as increasing the temperature profile as the thermal conduc-
tivity of the whole fluid increases.
η = Qu / HbAa . (11)
600
500
and nanofluids containing different percentages of
400
NiO, Al2O3, and CuO nanoparticles, such as 0.05, 0.075,
300
and 0.1% by volume. The temperature rise was measured
200 Water
throughout the day and the difference was shown. 0.1% Al2O3
Increasing the concentration of similar nanofluids increases 100 0.075% Al2O3
0.05% Al2O3
the overall temperature of the day as the overall fluid 0
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
thermal conductivity increases. The graph shows that the
DAY TIME (HOURS)
average temperature increases with the increase the nano-
particle concentration. The highest temperatures of NiO, (b)
700
60 600
HEAT GAIN (WATTS)
55 500
50
TEMPERATURE (0C)
400
45
300
40
200 Water
35 Water 0.1% CuO
0.1% Al2O3 100 0.075% CuO
30 0.1% CuO 0.05% CuO
0.1% NiO 0
25
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
20 DAY TIME (HOURS)
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
DAY TIME (HOURS) (c)
Figure 6: Comparison of temperature for nanofluids at a concen- Figure 7: Comparison of heat gain for (a) NiO nanofluid, (b) Al2O3
tration of 0.1%. nanofluid, and (c) CuO nanofluid at different concentrations.
Enhancement of heat transfer from solar thermal collector using nanofluid 975
500
transfer is enhanced with increasing nanoparticle concentra-
400
tion. CuO nanofluids have better heat transfer ability than
300 Al2O3 or NiO-based nanofluids.
200 Water
0.1% Al2O3
100 0.1% CuO Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank the
0.1% NiO
0 Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Unit
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 (NAMRU), Faculty of Engineering, University of Kufa,
DAY TIME (HOURS) Iraq for supporting to prepare the nanofluids and perform
other tests. Also, they thank the Al-Mustaqbal University
Figure 8: Comparison of heat gain for nanofluids at a concentration College, Babylon, Iraq to install the experimental rig.
of 0.1%.
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