Performance enhancement of a renewable thermal energy collector using metallic oxide nanofluids

Abstract

A renewable thermal energy collection device was built and metallic oxide nanofluids namely cerium oxide, aluminium oxide and titanium oxide in base fluid water were used. At 3 vol% and a flow of four litres per minute, the renewable energy collector efficiency was computed and compared with the values obtained using water as the working fluid. It was observed that by using Ceria, Alumina and Titania nanofluids, collector efficiencies of 60%, 58% and 56% were achieved respectively. When compared with the values obtained by using water, the efficiency enhancement was 27% for Ceria, 25% for Alumina and 23% for Titania nanofluids.