Abstract
This meta-study aims to identify methods of optimising the efficiency of upcoming parabolic trough collector (PTC) solar furnace technology by analysing thermodynamic properties of both solar absorbers: SiC, Pyromark 2500, Polychromic Al-AlN and C54-TiSi2 nanoparticles; and heat transfer nanofluids: SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Cu and Al2O3-Cu with a 50:50 ratio. The thermodynamic properties investigated are energy absorbance and emittance, melting point, thermal conductivity and viscosity. Our study revealed that the optimal transfer fluid is the hybrid nanofluid Al2O3-Cu with a 50:50 ratio and a 1-2% volume fraction in an ethylene glycol base. The optimal solar absorber for use in combination with this nanofluid was found to be polychromic Al-AlN cerment absorber.
Highlights
Due to the increasing demand for reliable and renewable energy sources, higher efficiency power generation technology is essential to meet increasing electrical energy requirements
Titanium Silicarbide nanoparticles were further analysed as they can be grown on some other high absorption materials to add their specific absorption frequencies to the resulting composite
Due to the high thermal conductivity enhancement of TiO2 nanoparticles with increasing volume fraction, it is suggested that the properties of TiO2 based hybrid nanofluids are investigated. This meta-analysis has assessed several enhancements that can be made to the pipe system of the parabolic trough collector based thermal solar generator
Summary
Due to the increasing demand for reliable and renewable energy sources, higher efficiency power generation technology is essential to meet increasing electrical energy requirements. Solar energy is one of the most abundant sources of renewable energy available on earth, with areas in Africa, America, Asia and Australia commonly receiving upwards of 7 kilowatt hours per square meter of direct normal irradiation per day [1]. Taking advantages of this energy has been the focus of countless technological advancements since the industrial revolution and continues to be one of the most popular fields of research to date. Modern PTCs use a variety of transfer fluids, such as molten salts with high specific heat capacity, synthetic oils with low viscosity, and aqueous solutions that carry heat utilising evaporative techniques [2]. This transfer fluid transports generated heat to an engine which produces electricity
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