Preparation and characterization of nanographite- and CuO-based absorber and performance evaluation of solar air-heating collector

Abstract

Nanostructured absorbers and novel collectors are to be developed so as to reap the enhanced thermal performance of solar thermal gadgets. In this connection, the nanographite- and CuO-coated solar absorber was developed, and it was characterized through XRD, SEM, and EDAX. In addition novel collector with nanostructured and baffle-arranged absorber was developed, and it was tested. It was found that the maximum temperature attained on sample absorber (1 m × 2 m) was 48.5 °C in outdoor conditions. It was also found that the grains in the coating were in nanosizes with spherical structure. The results of thermal analyses revealed that the maximum temperature enhancement of the working fluid was 59.4 °C, and the maximum thermal performance of the collector was 68%. On the basis of the present research outcomes, it could be concluded that nanostructured and baffle-arranged solar absorbers would be used in solar collectors for reaping enhanced thermal performances.