Analysis of Parabolic Trough Collector Performance Enhancement Using Nanofluids

One of the most significant sources of renewable energy is solar power. Solar energy may be captured in two different ways: photovoltaic systems convert solar energy into electricity, while solar concentrating systems convert solar energy into heat energy. Using concentrated solar collectors, usable heat may be generated at medium and high temperatures. The most effective solar collector among concentrating collectors is the parabolic trough collectors (PTC). As a result, they may be employed in a wide range of applications, including the production of electricity, industrial heating, space cooling, and chemical reactions. In solar collectors, water is usually used as the working fluid. However, it experiences several challenges that reduce the thermal efficiency of the solar collector. The use of nanofluids as the working fluid is one of several potential strategies to enhance the performance of the concentrating collectors. The focus of this study is on determining how the use of nanofluids would improve the thermal performance of the parabolic solar trough collector. In order to do this, numerical analysis is conducted using both water and nanofluid as the working fluids. Additionally, the results of applying various volume fractions of nanofluids were assessed. Al2O3 is the chosen nanofluid for the investigation, with water as the base fluid. The numerical analysis was performed using the k-ε model and a uniform heat flux distribution. The results showed that the thermal performance and heat transfer of parabolic solar collectors were greatly enhanced when nanofluid was used as the working fluid. It was also discovered that increasing the volume fraction of nanoparticles increases effective thermal conductivity, which improves heat transfer coefficients and collector thermal efficiency.