Abstract
Energy and exergy (EnE) efficiencies are considered the most important parameters to compare the performance of various thermal systems. In this paper, an analysis was carried out for EnE efficiencies of a flat plate solar collector (FPSC) using four different kinds of nanofluids as flowing mediums, namely, Al2O3/water, MgO/water, TiO2/water, and CuO/water, and compared with water as a flowing medium (traditional base fluid). The analysis considered nanofluids made of nanomaterials’ volume fractions of 1–4% with water. The volume flow rates of nanofluids and water were 1 to 4 L/min. The solar collector′s highest EnE efficiency values were obtained for CuO/water nanofluid among the four types of nanofluids mentioned above. The EnE efficiencies of the CuO nanofluid-operated solar collector were 38.21% and 34.06%, respectively, which is significantly higher than that of water-operated solar collectors. For the same volume flow rate, the mass flow rate was found to be 15.95% higher than water for the CuO nanofluid. The EnE efficiency of FPSC can also be increased by increasing the density and reducing the specific heat of the flowing medium.
Highlights
Energy and exergy (EnE) efficiencies are considered the most important parameters to compare the performance of various thermal systems
The solar thermal collector is a device to absorb heat from sunlight. It is designed in such a way that it helps to convert solar irradiation into more functional energy forms, such as hot water, molten salt, or applied to produce steam to generate electricity
These flat plate solar collector (FPSC) are considered to have a fixed area for collecting the incoming radiation and are typically stationary throughout the day [2,3]. They are considered to have a fixed area for collecting incoming radiation. The efficiency of these systems is explained as the extent to which the thermal energy impacts on the collector surface, and heat is transferred to the working fluid
Summary
Energy and exergy (EnE) efficiencies are considered the most important parameters to compare the performance of various thermal systems. An analysis was carried out for EnE efficiencies of a flat plate solar collector (FPSC) using four different kinds of nanofluids as flowing mediums, namely, Al2 O3 /water, MgO/water, TiO2 /water, and CuO/water, and compared with water as a flowing medium (traditional base fluid). Flat plate solar collector (FPSC) is considered as the better performing solar heater within other types of solar heaters These FPSC are considered to have a fixed area for collecting the incoming radiation and are typically stationary throughout the day [2,3]. They are considered to have a fixed area for collecting incoming radiation The efficiency of these systems is explained as the extent to which the thermal energy impacts on the collector surface, and heat is transferred to the working fluid. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
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