Thermohydraulic Performance of a Photovoltaic Thermal System Using CuO/EG Nanofluid

Global energy demand has increased due to population expansion and improved living conditions. PV/T systems have lately gained popularity as a means of fulfilling this energy demand. The current study examines the effect of CuO/EG nanofluid on the performance of a flat-plate solar collector. An experimental investigation of the thermal rheological properties of CuO/EG nanofluid is carried out. TEM and XRD are used to determine the size and crystallinity of the particles. Stable nanofluids with a volume percentage of 1% are synthesised without the use of any surfactant. Experimental results show an increase of about 20% in thermal conductivity with a subsequent increase of 42% in viscosity. Furthermore, a numerical simulation is carried out for a flat-plate hybrid PV/T solar collector in a laminar flow regime with Re values ranging from 100 to 500. The effect of nanoparticle concentration on heat transfer is established by calculating the increase in heat transfer coefficient. Consequently, the effect of nanoparticle concentration on pressure drop is calculated to estimate the increase in pumping power. A comprehensive analysis is done by calculating the thermohydraulic efficiency of the fluid. As concentration increases from 0 to 1 vol%, the overall Nusselt number increases by 21% at Re = 100 and by 200% at Re = 500. Furthermore, as concentration increases from 0% to 1 vol%, the overall pressure drop increases by 75% at Re = 100 and by 210% at Re = 500. A maximum increase of 41.2% in thermohydraulic efficiency is achieved at Re = 500 and 1 vol%.