Photothermal energy conversion in liquid nanoparticle suspensions

Patrick Phelan, R. Taylor, Ronald Adrian, R. S. Prasher, T. Otanicar

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Liquid nanoparticle suspensions, popularly termed "nanofluids," have been the subject of numerous investigations because of their interesting thermal transport properties. Their propensity to scatter and absorb electromagnetic radiation enables other applications that can take advantage of both their radiative and thermal transport properties. In particular, we are working to develop direct-absorption solar thermal collectors in which nanofluids serve to absorb incident sunlight, thus heating the fluid directly and more efficiently than conventional solar collectors. Our experimental results, in which we irradiate nanofluids with a continuous-wave laser, demonstrate that boiling can be induced at lower incident light fluxes compared to a thin layer of pure water in front of a black absorptive backing. These findings suggest that improved solar energy conversion systems can be developed, including solar-driven direct-steam generators.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationASME 2010 8th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels Collocated with 3rd Joint US-European Fluids Engineering Summer Meeting, ICNMM2010
Pages781-787
Number of pages7
EditionPARTS A AND B
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2010
EventASME 2010 8th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels, ICNMM2010 Collocated with 3rd Joint US-European Fluids Engineering Summer Meeting - Montreal, QC, Canada
Duration: Aug 1 2010Aug 5 2010

Publication series

NameASME 2010 8th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels Collocated with 3rd Joint US-European Fluids Engineering Summer Meeting, ICNMM2010
NumberPARTS A AND B

Other

OtherASME 2010 8th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels, ICNMM2010 Collocated with 3rd Joint US-European Fluids Engineering Summer Meeting
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal, QC
Period8/1/108/5/10

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

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