Nanoparticles transportation with turbulent regime through a solar collector with helical tapes

Abstract

Utilizing hybrid nanomaterial, fin and helical turbulator were suggested in present investigation to intensify the efficiency of absorber unit. Mixture of water with Al2O3 and CuO creates the working fluid and due to low fraction of nano-powders, formulations were incorporated according to homogeneous modeling approach. Longitudinal plate with circular gaps was considered as fin and helical tape was utilized as turbulator. Verification based on experimental previous work reveals nice concordance. Fraction of hybrid nano-powders, Re and two geometrical factors (pitch factor (Pi) and diameter of circular gaps (D1)) have been reported in outputs. It should be mentioned that number of circular gaps is depend on Pi. Finite volume approach was selected with involve of k-ε RNG technique for simulating turbulent forced convection. As diameter of gap augments, fluid movement becomes easier and pressure loss decreases while better mixing of upper hot fluid and cold one can be reached. As pitch factor declines, the revolution of tapes augments and number of circular gaps increases, too. Although, increase of rotational velocity makes the stronger interaction with wall, the pressure drop can be reduced because of positive effect of higher number of gaps when the diameter of gaps has maximum value. Temperature of absorber plate reduces 0.15% with intensify of Re while it grows about 0.007% and 0.012% with augment of D1 and Pi. Nu augments about 73.59% with augment of pumping power while friction factor declines about 18.32%. In greatest level of Re, rise of D1 and Pi leads to augment of Nu about 6.47% and 6.43%. Also, friction factor reduce about 11.22% and 17.47% with growth of D1 and Pi. Adding hybrid nanomaterial makes Nu and f to rise about 5.26% and 1.52%.