Performance analysis of spiral and serpentine tube solar collector with carbon nanotube nanofluids under natural flow method

Abstract

AbstractThis study communicates the performance analysis of spiral and serpentine tube solar collector with carbon nanotube nanofluids under natural flow method. Experiments were carried out at three different mass flow rates namely 3, 5, and 7 kg/hour while the concentration of nanoparticles was varied from 0.05% and 0.1%, respectively. Experiments were carried out under the same condition of ambient parameters for validation. Results show that the maximum exit water temperature was found to be about 75°C with a maximum concentration of 0.1% under a minimum flow rate of 3 kg/hour during the peak intensity. Similarly, the improvement in temperature of the water is found to be 6% under peak intensity and decreased to about 4.3% and 4.2% for the flow rates of 5 and 7 kg/hour, respectively