Energetic and exergetic performances of a parabolic solar trough collector working with TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ nanofluids for variable temperature applications

Abstract

Thermal efficiency of parabolic solar trough collectors (PTCs) can be enhanced by dispersing TiO₂ nanoparticles into the conventionally used heat transfer fluids. In the present experimental work, a one-dimensional mathematical model is designed to study the outcome of TiO₂ nanoparticles dispersed in the base fluid for variable temperatures PTCs. The major finding of this work is that the TiO₂ nanofluid enhances the thermal efficiency of the PTC slightly. Elevated working temperatures are most appropriate for nanofluids that are used to generate the highest gain of energy discharged. It is found that the exergetic effectiveness enhancement is most important than energetic effectiveness. The maximum exergy efficiency is achieved by TiO₂-based nanofluid and is about 8.09%. The highest relative gain of thermal energy discharged is found to be 9.66% higher than the water-based collector by using 0.3% of TiO₂ in the base fluid.

KEYWORDS:

• TiO₂ snanofluid
• Al₂O₃ nanofluid
• PTC
• heat transfer
• energy and exergy efficiency

Disclosure statement

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