Numerical simulation of solar parabolic trough collector with helical grooves using Cu nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study the effects of modification with creation of grooves as well as the use of nanoparticles with the base fluid has been considered. The main objective during the investigation is to predict the effect of enhancement in thermal efficiency with variation in thermal as well as hydraulic performance of the system. The use of nanoparticles improves the thermal conductivity as well as the hydraulic performance of the PTCs. It is seen that at lower values of Pop (Pop less than 0.20); the difference between the thermal efficiency (η) of conventional parabolic trough collector (CPTC) and parabolic trough collector with internal circular cut helical grooves (HG) systems are about 11.31–13.11 % higher. While the η of HG with copper nanoparticles (HG + Cu) is the highest and lowest thermal performance index (TEI) with 60.4 % and 0.159 respectively among three PTCs. Therefore, the η can be increased either by enhancement in thermal performance or by hydraulic performance.