Thermal Performance based Numerical Investigation on Nanofluid Applications with Solar Energy Systems

Utilizing solar radiation for thermal purposes is a common practice with flat plate solar collectors (FPSCs), but their thermal efficiency is lower. Using it might be one way to fix this problem of nanofluids as working fluids in FPSCs, which have the potential to improve energy-collecting capacities. A new method for measuring the thermal inertia of the various components of glass, trapped air, absorber and nanofluid are the components of FPSC that use nanotechnology has been developed and tested in this work. Water and Al2O3 nanoparticles at 1%, 2% and 3% volumetric concentrations are considered in the study. In this study, thermo physical characteristics are examined at heat transfer fluid (HTF) mass different flow rates (0.004 – 0.06 kg/s). According to the findings, in May, the greatest rise in outlet temperature can reach 7.22% under certain circumstances (0.004 kg/s, 3% volumetric concentration). Potential uses for nanofluid-based FPSC are illuminated by this computational analysis, which offers important insights into their thermal performance. The research helps to fill gaps in knowledge of nanofluid dynamics and points the way for future work to maximize the effectiveness of FPSCs in the long-term use of solar power. Importantly, at lower flow rates, nanofluids can improve the FPSCs' thermal efficiency; nevertheless, at a certain point, effectively, the base fluid is transformed into the working fluid. The current study determined that 0.016 kg/s is the essential flow rate.