Effect of mono/hybrid nanofluids and passive techniques on thermal performance of parabolic trough solar collector: A review
Priyanka, Sunil Kumar, Anil Kumar
Abstract
Solar energy is one of the most effective and environmentally beneficial forms. Numerous advancements, like solar collectors, have been created to harness sun-powered energy; however, the parabolic trough solar collector (PTSC) is the best collector because of its wide variety of commercial uses and thermal necessities at moderate and high temperatures. However, extracting the maximum thermal energy from PTSC remains one of the most challenging tasks. Thus, various methodologies such as using nanofluids (NFs) as working fluids (WFs), receiver tube material, and turbulent promotors in receiver tubes of PTSC are being investigated to boost its proficiency. This article’s goal is to analyze the role of mono and hybrid NF flowing with different turbulent promotors in rising PTSC performance and compares the Nusselt number (Nu) and thermal efficiency (ηth) of various PTSC with varying performance parameters like Reynolds number (Re), mass flow rate, and inlet temperature (Tin) of working fluid that has significant consequences on the outcome of PTSC. Among different NFs and turbulence promotors, the Al2O3/MWCNT hybrid NF and converging-diverging receiver tube inside PTSC provide the best thermal improvement of 69% and 79%, respectively. Among the various receiver tube materials, Pyrex glass has the highest, ηth of 197.1%. Similarly, the combination of inserts and NFs provides the best thermal performance in terms of their use.