Performance analysis of solar assisted multigenerational system using therminol VP1 based nanofluids: A comparative study

Abstract

The application of the nanofluids is suggested to enhance and improve the efficiency of solar thermal power system. In the present study, three different nanofluids (Fe2O3/therminol VP1, SiO2/therminol VP1, and Cu/therminol VP1) are numerically investigated in parabolic dish solar collector that is further integrated to a combined cycle for power and hydrogen production. Heat rejects from the power cycle is also utilized to drive a single effect absorption (LiBr-water) system. Furthermore, a comprehensive energy, exergy and exergo-environmental analysis are carried out by varying several input parameters and their influence on overall energetic and exergetic efficiencies, network output and rate of hydrogen generation is assessed. The engineering equation solver is employed to conduct the parametric study. Outcomes of the study demonstrate that the SiO2/VP1 has the better characteristics among the investigated nanofluids. The overall energetic efficiency of the SiO2/VP1, Fe2O3/VP1, and Cu/VP1 is almost 38.79%, 38.74%, and 37.53%, while overall exergetic efficiency is 41.72%, 41.66%, and 40.36%, respectively at 1000 Wm-2. The exergoenvironmental impact coefficient and impact index are noticed to be reduced for all the three nanofluids as mass-flow rate increases. The hy-drogen production rate for SiO2/VP1 is maximum and has observed to be increased by increasing the ambient temperature. Increase in nanoparticles concentration also rises the exergetic efficiency but reduces the thermal conductivity of the nanofluids. Coefficient of performance is noticed to be increased with rise in evaporator temperature, whereas, it is reduced by increasing the generator temperature.