Cupric oxide nanofluid influenced parabolic trough solar collector: thermal performance evaluation

ABSTRACT

The availability of solar radiation has potential for energy applications, and recently, the parabolic trough collector (PTC) plays a crucial role in heat exchanger applications. The conventional system lacked thermal performance, reducing heat transfer coefficient and thermal efficiency. With this, the main goal of the research is to attempt to enrich the overall thermal capacity of the PTC system by introducing triangular copper fins and CuO nanoparticles (10–20 nm). During the experimental evaluation, the different concentrations (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3%) of CuO blended with water (nanofluid) are permitted to circulate the receiver boundary configured with PTC setup 3.5 m² at the flow rate of 0.12 kg/s. Effects of CuO nanofluid concentrations on heat gain, heat transfer coefficient, and thermal and exergy efficiency of the system are measured and spot the optimum heat gain of 689.9Wm enriched heat transfer coefficient of 172.3 W/m²K, maximum thermal and exergy efficiency of 70.9% and 37.2% respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• CuO nanoparticles
• finned receiver
• nanoparticle concentrations
• thermal and exergy efficiency

Disclosure statement

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

Data availability statement

All the data required are available within the manuscript

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

K.R. Padmavathi

K.R. Padmavathi is working as a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Panimalar College of Engineering, Chennai. She has published 25 research articles in various international journals indexed in web of science.

Subramaniam Prabagaran

Subramaniam Prabagaran is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore. He has 15 years of experience teaching various courses in Mechanical Engineering. His research interests include biomass utilization, advanced biofuels, and waste to energy.

Venkatesh Rathinavelu

Venkatesh R is working as an associate professor at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamilnadu. His research interests include Materials, Solar Energy, I.C Engines and Future fuels.

Subramanian Mohankumar

Subramanian Mohankumar is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kongunadu College of Engineering and Technology, Trichy. He has 8 years of experience teaching subjects like Thermodynamics, Thermal Engineering, Automobile Engineering, and Advanced I.C Engines.