Solar energy harvesting using nanofluids-based concentrating solar collector

Vikrant Khullar, Himanshu Tyagi, Todd P. Otanicar, Patrick Phelan, Harjit Singh, Robert A. Taylor

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

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dispersing trace amounts of nanoparticles into the base-fluid has significant impact on the optical as well as thermo-physical properties of the base-fluid. This characteristic can be utilized in effectively capturing as well as transporting the solar radiant energy. Enhancement of the solar irradiance absorption capacity of the base fluid scales up the heat transfer rate resulting in higher & more efficient heat transfer. This paper attempts to introduce the idea of harvesting the solar radiant energy through usage of nanofluid-based concentrating parabolic solar collectors. In order to theoretically analyze the nanofluid-based concentrating parabolic solar collector (NCPSC) it has been mathematically modeled, and the governing equations have been numerically solved using finite difference technique. The results of the model were compared with the experimental results of conventional concentrating parabolic solar collectors under similar conditions. It was observed that while maintaining the same external conditions (such as ambient/inlet temperatures, wind speed, solar insolation, flow rate, concentration ratio etc.) the NCPSC has about 5-10 % higher efficiency as compared to the conventional parabolic solar collector. Furthermore, some parametric studies were carried out which reflected the effect of various parameters such as solar insolation, incident angle, convective heat transfer coefficient etc. on the performance indicators such as thermal efficiency etc.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationASME 2012 3rd International Conference on Micro/Nanoscale Heat and Mass Transfer, MNHMT 2012
Pages259-267
Number of pages9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
EventASME 2012 3rd International Conference on Micro/Nanoscale Heat and Mass Transfer, MNHMT 2012 - Atlanta, GA, United States
Duration: Mar 3 2012Mar 6 2012

Publication series

NameASME 2012 3rd International Conference on Micro/Nanoscale Heat and Mass Transfer, MNHMT 2012

Other

OtherASME 2012 3rd International Conference on Micro/Nanoscale Heat and Mass Transfer, MNHMT 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAtlanta, GA
Period3/3/123/6/12

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

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