Article: Experimental investigations on direct absorption solar flat plate collector using Al2O3 nanofluid Journal: International Journal of Nanotechnology (IJNT) 2021 Vol.18 No.11/12 pp.968 - 979 Abstract: Solar flat plate collectors have lower thermal conversion efficiencies due to high thermal losses and lower heat transfer. Direct absorption solar collector (DASC) works on the concept of volumetric absorption, i.e., solar energy will be absorbed by a thin layer of fluid flowing over a flat surface. The glass plate with reflective surface was used as base for fluid film formation and experimental investigations were carried out with water and Al2O3 nanofluid. Nanoparticles of size 20 nm were used to prepare nanofluid with ultrasonic mixers. Three flow rates, i.e., 2, 3 and 4 lpm were worked out with water and 0.001%, 0.005%, and 0.01% volume concentrations of nanofluid. Improvement in efficiency of the collector with nanofluid was recorded when compared with water as a working fluid. Optimal flow rate of 2 lpm recorded better thermal efficiencies for water and nanofluids both. Higher efficiencies were recorded with 0.01% volume concentration of nanofluid when compared with water, 0.001% and 0.005%. For constant mass flow of 2 lpm, the maximum efficiency improvement, i.e., 13% was achieved with 0.01% volume concentration of nanoparticles compared with water. Maximum single pass temperature difference of 2.7°C and 4.5°C was achieved for water and 0.01% nanofluid, respectively. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Experimental investigations on direct absorption solar flat plate collector using Al₂O₃ nanofluid

Authors: Rahul Khatri; Rajesh Jangid; Pranay Singh Tomar; Shyam Sunder Sharma

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur – 303007, Rajasthan, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur – 303007, Rajasthan, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur – 303007, Rajasthan, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur – 303007, Rajasthan, India

Abstract: Solar flat plate collectors have lower thermal conversion efficiencies due to high thermal losses and lower heat transfer. Direct absorption solar collector (DASC) works on the concept of volumetric absorption, i.e., solar energy will be absorbed by a thin layer of fluid flowing over a flat surface. The glass plate with reflective surface was used as base for fluid film formation and experimental investigations were carried out with water and Al₂O₃ nanofluid. Nanoparticles of size 20 nm were used to prepare nanofluid with ultrasonic mixers. Three flow rates, i.e., 2, 3 and 4 lpm were worked out with water and 0.001%, 0.005%, and 0.01% volume concentrations of nanofluid. Improvement in efficiency of the collector with nanofluid was recorded when compared with water as a working fluid. Optimal flow rate of 2 lpm recorded better thermal efficiencies for water and nanofluids both. Higher efficiencies were recorded with 0.01% volume concentration of nanofluid when compared with water, 0.001% and 0.005%. For constant mass flow of 2 lpm, the maximum efficiency improvement, i.e., 13% was achieved with 0.01% volume concentration of nanoparticles compared with water. Maximum single pass temperature difference of 2.7°C and 4.5°C was achieved for water and 0.01% nanofluid, respectively.

Keywords: nanofluid; Al₂O₃; DASC; direct absorption solar collector; volumetric absorption; thermal performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2021.119202

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2021 Vol.18 No.11/12, pp.968 - 979

Published online: 29 Nov 2021 *

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Title: Experimental investigations on direct absorption solar flat plate collector using Al2O3 nanofluid

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Title: Experimental investigations on direct absorption solar flat plate collector using Al₂O₃ nanofluid