Energy matrices, enviro-economic and characteristic equation-based performance analyses of photovoltaic thermal compound parabolic concentrator (PVT-CPC) coupled solar still equipped with heat exchanger using SWCNTs and MWCNTs–water nanofluids

Abstract

In this paper, effect of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)- water based nanofluid have been studied to examine the performance, long-term feasibility andenviro-enviro-economic analysis of partially covered series connected N- photovoltaic thermal (PVT)-compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) collectors coupled double slope solar still (DSSS) equipped with helically coiled heat exchanger (HE). Analysis have been carried out by developing thermal modelling of the proposed system. Instantaneous gain and loss efficiencies; annual thermal energy/exergy, and productivity – is investigated for optimized parameters of the proposed system in detail. Gain efficiency of the proposed system is found to be approximately 25-30% higher using CNT-NPs as compared to the system without using NPs. Annual thermal energy and exergy of CNTs, particularly SWCNTs water-based nanofluid (thermal energy- 2491.55 kWh, thermal exergy-894.67 kWh) have been found to be greater in comparison to basefluid (thermal energy -2185.76 kWh, thermal exergy-772.18 kWh). Also, results give higher value of CO2 mitigation using CNT-NPs both on the basis of energy (SWCNT-5.082t, MWCNT-4.787t) and exergy (SWCNT-1.83t, MWCNT-1.76t) respectively. SWCNT-NPs shows better performance due to their better TPPs; also PVT-CPC collector integrated DSSS equipped with HE is more viable practically.

Highlights

• Effects of SWCNT and MWCNT NPs have been investigated by developing characteristic equation

• Thermal gain and loss energy/exergy efficiencies have been estimated

• Energy matrices have been investigated based on energy and exergy

• CO₂ mitigation and carbon credits earned have been estimated based on annual performance of the PVT-CPC-DSSS system

KEYWORDS:

• CNTs
• solar still
• heat exchanger
• nanofluid
• carbon mitigation

Acknowledgement

The authors wish to express their heartful thanks to the Director, Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi, India, for his support. Also, thanks to IOE, University of Delhi, India.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).