93
Views
0
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

Receiver parameter optimization for nanofluid-based parabolic trough concentrating plant: a case study

ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, & ORCID Icon
Pages 5559-5576 | Received 21 Nov 2022, Accepted 03 Apr 2023, Published online: 09 May 2023
 

ABSTRACT

The disadvantage of using nanofluids as a heat transfer fluid in the Parabolic Trough Concentrating solar power plant is increased pressure drops. Therefore, more attention should be paid to optimizing the receiver pipe diameter. The aim of this study was to optimize a new receiver to study the industrial process performance of nanofluid-based Parabolic Trough Concentrating plants in 4 different regions in southern Algeria (Hassi rmel, In salah, Tamnrasset, and Bechar). Nanoparticles (Al2O3, CuO) were added to both base liquids (Dowtherm A, Therminol VP-1). The methodology is based on a two-step approach: first, the effects of nanoparticles and temperature on the thermophysical properties of nanofluids, such as thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, and density, are numerically investigated using the MATLAB program; second, nanofluids properties are integrated into SAM (System Advisor Model) software to perform a 50 MW parabolic trough solar power plant with 25% of a backup system and nanofluids in heat transfer system for the different representative locations of the climate of Algeria. The results of the first part show that the addition of nanoparticles increases the thermal conductivity and density of the nanofluid by 11% and 23%, respectively, and the specific heat capacity is proportional to temperature. The most favorable site is Insalah with an optimal SM egale to 3 and a capacity factor of 51%. Finally, the use of nanofluids as a heat transfer fluid in solar power plants plays a great role in improving its efficiency, the best choice for nanofluids under Algerian climates is CuO/Dowtherm A with an optimal tube diameter of 0.07 m.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Fatah Boufoudi

Mr Boufoudi Fatah is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering option Energy, Faculty of Construction Engineering, University of Mouluod Mammeri, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria.

Sofiane Mihoub

Dr Mihoub Sofiane is a teacher-researcher at Department of Physics, Faculty of Material Sciences, University of Ibn Khaldoun, Tiaret, Algeria.

Salah Zouaoui

Dr Zouaoui Salah is a Senior Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering option Energy , Faculty of Construction Engineering, University of Mouluod Mammeri, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria.

Abdelillah Benahmed

Dr Benahmed Abdelillah is a teacher-researcher at Department of Physics, Faculty of Technology, University of Saâd Dahlab, Blida, Algeria.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 61.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.