Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Thermal efficiency enhancement of nanofluid-based parabolic trough collectors

  • Published:
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The use of nanofluids in parabolic trough collectors is one of the most promising techniques for enhancing their performance. The objective of this work is to investigate the use of various nanoparticles (Cu, CuO, Fe2O3, TiO2, Al2O3 and SiO2) dispersed in thermal oil (Syltherm 800). A detailed parametric analysis is performed for flow rates from 50 to 300 L min−1, for inlet temperatures from 300 K to 650 K and for nanoparticle concentrations up to 6%, while the impact of the solar irradiation level on the thermal efficiency enhancement is also investigated. Moreover, a new index for the working fluid evaluation in solar collectors is introduced. The analysis is conducted with a developed thermal model in Engineering Equation Solver. According to the final results, the most efficient nanoparticle is the Cu, with CuO, Fe2O3, TiO2, Al2O3 and SiO2 to follow, respectively. It is found that the higher enhancement is observed for lower flow rates, higher inlet temperatures and higher nanoparticle concentrations, while it is approximately constant for the different solar irradiation levels. For the typical operating conditions with 150 L min−1 flow rate and 600 K inlet temperature, the thermal efficiency enhancement is found 0.31, 0.54 and 0.74% for Cu concentrations 2, 4 and 6%, respectively.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

A :

Area, m2

C :

Concentration ratio

c p :

Specific heat capacity under constant pressure, J kg−1 K−1

D :

Diameter, m

F :

Focal length, m

G b :

Solar direct beam irradiation, W m−2

H :

Heat transfer coefficient, W m−2 K−1

h out :

Convection coefficient between cover and ambient, W m−2 K−1

k :

Thermal conductivity, W m−1 K−1

K :

Incident angle modifier

L :

Tube length, m

m :

Mass flow rate, kg s−1

Nu :

Nusselt number

Pr :

Prandtl number

Q :

Heat flux, W

Re :

Reynolds number

T :

Temperature, K

T sky :

Sky temperature, K

U r :

Overall heat transfer coefficient, W m−2 K−1

V :

Volumetric flow rate, L min−1

V wind :

Ambient air velocity, m s−1

W :

Width, m

α :

Absorber absorbance

β :

Ratio of the nanolayer thickness to the original particle radius

γ :

Intercept factor

ε :

Emittance

η opt :

Optical efficiency

η th :

Thermal efficiency

θ :

Solar beam incident angle, o

μ:

Dynamic viscosity, Pa s

ρ :

Density, kg m−3

ρ mir :

Mirror reflectance

τ :

Cover transmittance

φ :

Nanoparticle, concentration %

a:

Aperture

am:

Ambient

bf:

Base fluid

c :

Cover

ci:

Inner cover

co:

Outer cover

fm:

Mean fluid

in:

Inlet

loss:

Thermal loss

nf:

Nanofluids

np:

Nanoparticle

out:

Outlet

r:

Receiver

ri:

Inner receiver

ro:

Outer receiver

s:

Solar

u:

Useful

0:

Reference

CFD:

Computation fluid dynamic

EES:

Engineering equation solver

PTC:

Parabolic trough collector

References

  1. Loni R, Askari Asli-ardeh E, Ghobadian B, Kasaeian AB, Gorjian Sh. Thermodynamic analysis of a solar dish receiver using different nanofluids. Energy. 2017;133:749–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Fernandez AG, Galleguillos H, Fuentealba E, Perez FJ. Thermal characterization of HITEC molten salt for energy storage in solar linear concentrated technology. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2015;122(1):3–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Mathioulakis E, Papanicolaou E, Belessiotis V. Optical performance and instantaneous efficiency calculation of linear Fresnel solar collectors. Int J Energy Res. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1002/er.3925.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Bellos E, Tzivanidis C, Papadopoulos A. Enhancing the performance of a linear Fresnel reflector using nanofluids and internal finned absorber. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-018-6989-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Fuqiang W, Ziming C, Jianyu T, Yuan Y, Yong S, Linhua L. Progress in concentrated solar power technology with parabolic trough collector system: a comprehensive review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2017;79:1314–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Sandeep HM, Arunachala UC. Solar parabolic trough collectors: a review on heat transfer augmentation techniques. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2017;69:1218–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Huang Z, Li Z-Y, Yu G-L, Tao W-Q. Numerical investigations on fully-developed mixed turbulent convection in dimpled parabolic trough receiver tubes. Appl Therm Eng. 2017;114:1287–99.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Xiangtao G, Fuqiang W, Haiyan W, Jianyu T, Qingzhi L, Huaizhi H. Heat transfer enhancement analysis of tube receiver for parabolic trough solar collector with pin fin arrays inserting. Sol Energy. 2017;144:185–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Bellos E, Tzivanidis C, Tsimpoukis D. Multi-criteria evaluation of parabolic trough collector with internally finned absorbers. Appl Energy. 2017;205:540–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Mwesigye A, Bello-Ochende T, Meyer JP. Heat transfer and entropy generation in a parabolic trough receiver with wall-detached twisted tape inserts. Int J Therm Sci. 2016;99:238–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Choi SU, Eastman J. Enhancing thermal conductivity of fluids with nanoparticles. Lemont: Argonne National Lab; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Mahian O, Kianifar A, Sahin AZ, Wongwises S. Entropy generation during Al2O3/water nanofluid flow in a solar collector: Effects of tube roughness, nanoparticle size, and different thermophysical models. Int J Heat Mass Transf. 2014;78:64–75.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Allouhi A, Benzakour Amine M, Saidur R, Kousksou T, Jamil A. Energy and exergy analyses of a parabolic trough collector operated with nanofluids for medium and high temperature applications. Energy Convers Manag. 2018;155:201–17.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Basbous N, Taqi M, Janan MA. Thermal performances analysis of a parabolic trough solar collector using different nanofluids. Renew Sustain Energy Conf (IRSEC). 2016. https://doi.org/10.1109/irsec.2016.7984006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Bellos E, Tzivanidis C, Antonopoulos KA, Gkinis G. Thermal enhancement of solar parabolic trough collectors by using nanofluids and converging-diverging absorber tube. Renew Energy. 2016;94:213–22.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Bellos E, Tzivanidis C. Parametric investigation of nanofluids utilization in parabolic trough collectors. Therm Sci Eng Progr. 2017;2:71–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Bellos E, Tzivanidis C. Thermal analysis of parabolic trough collector operating with mono and hybrid nanofluids. Sustain Energy Technol Assess. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2017.10.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Bellos E, Tzivanidis C, Tsimpoukis D. Thermal, hydraulic and exergetic evaluation of a parabolic trough collector operating with thermal oil and molten salt based nanofluids. Energy Convers Manag. 2018;156:388–402.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Benabderrahmane A, Aminallah M, Laouedj S, Benazza A, Solano JP. Heat transfer enhancement in a parabolic trough solar receiver using longitudinal fins and nanofluids. J Therm Sci. 2016;25:410–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Chaudhari KS, Walke PV, Wankhede US, Shelke RS. An Experimental investigation of a nanofluid (al2o3 + H2O) based parabolic trough solar collectors. Br J Appl Sci Technol. 2015;9(6):551–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Coccia G, Di Nicola G, Colla L, Fedele L, Scattolini M. Adoption of nanofluids in low-enthalpy parabolic trough solar collectors: numerical simulation of the yearly yield. Energy Convers Manag. 2016;118:306–19.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Ferraro V, Settino J, Cucumo MA, Kaliakatsos D. Parabolic trough system operating with nanofluids: comparison with the conventional working fluids and influence on the system performance. Energy Proc. 2016;101:782–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Ghasemi SE, Ranjbar AA. Thermal performance analysis of solar parabolic trough collector using nanofluid as working fluid: a CFD modelling study. J Mol Liq. 2016;222:159–66.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Ghasemi SE, Ranjbar AA. Effect of using nanofluids on efficiency of parabolic trough collectors in solar thermal electric power plants. Int J Hydrogen Energy. 2017;42(34):21626–34.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Kaloudis E, Papanicolaou E, Belessiotis V. Numerical simulations of a parabolic trough solar collector with nanofluid using a two-phase model. Renew Energy. 2016;97:218–29.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Kasaeian A, Daviran S, Danesh Azarian R, Rashidi A. Performance evaluation and nanofluid using capability study of a solar parabolic trough collector. Energy Convers Manag. 2015;89:368–75.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Khakrah H, Shamloo A, Kazemzadeh S. Hannani, Determination of parabolic trough solar collector efficiency using nanofluid: a comprehensive numerical study. ASME J Sol Energy Eng. 2017;139(5):051006.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Mwesigye A, Huan Z, Meyer JP. Thermodynamic optimisation of the performance of a parabolic trough receiver using synthetic oil—Al2O3 nanofluid. Appl Energy. 2015;156:398–412.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Mwesigye A, Huan Z, MeyerJP, Thermal performance of a receiver tube for a high concentration ratio parabolic trough system and potential for improved performance with Syltherm 800-CuO nanofluid. In: Proceedings of the ASME 2015 international mechanical engineering congress and exposition IMECE, 2015 Nov 13–19, 2015, Houston, Texas.

  30. Mwesigye A, Huan Z. Thermodynamic analysis and optimization of fully developed turbulent forced convection in a circular tube with water–Al2O3 nanofluid. Int J Heat Mass Transf. 2015;89:694–706.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Mwesigye A, Huan Z, Meyer JP. Thermal performance and entropy generation analysis of a high concentration ratio parabolic trough solar collector with Cu-Therminol®VP-1 nanofluid. Energy Convers Manag. 2016;120:449–65.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Mwesigye A, Meyer JP. Optimal thermal and thermodynamic performance of a solar parabolic trough receiver with different nanofluids and at different concentration ratios. Appl Energy. 2017;193:393–413.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Mwesigye A, Yılmaz İH, Meyer JP. Numerical analysis of the thermal and thermodynamic performance of a parabolic trough solar collector using SWCNTs-Therminol®VP-1 nanofluid. Renew Energy. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2017.10.047.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Rehan MA, Ali M, Sheikh NA, Khalil MS, Chaudhary GQ, ur Rashid T, Shehryar M. Experimental performance analysis of low concentration ratio solar parabolic trough collectors with nanofluids in winter conditions. Renew Energy. 2018;118:742–51.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Sokhansefat T, Kasaeian AB, Kowsary F. Heat transfer enhancement in parabolic trough collector tube using Al2O3/synthetic oil nanofluid. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2014;33:636–44.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Subramani J, Nagarajan PK, Wongwises S, El-Agouz SA, Sathyamurthya R. Experimental study on the thermal performance and heat transfer characteristics of solar parabolic trough collector using Al2O3 nanofluids. Environ Progr Sustain Energy. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.12767.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Subramani J, Nagarajan PK, Mahian O, Sathyamurthy R. Efficiency and heat transfer improvements in a parabolic trough solar collector using TiO2 nanofluids under turbulent flow regime. Renew Energy. 2018;119:19–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Wang Y, Xu J, Liu Q, Chen Y, Liu H. Performance analysis of a parabolic trough solar collector using Al2O3/synthetic oil nanofluid. Appl Therm Eng. 2016;107:469–78.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Zadeh PM, Sokhansefat T, Kasaeian AB, Kowsary F, Akbarzadeh A. Hybrid optimization algorithm for thermal analysis in a solar parabolic trough collector based on nanofluid. Energy. 2015;82:857–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Bellos E, Tzivanidis C. Assessment of the thermal enhancement methods in parabolic trough collectors. Int J Energy Environ Eng. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40095-017-0255-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Behar O, Khellaf A, Mohammedi K. A novel parabolic trough solar collector model—Validation with experimental data and comparison to Engineering Equation Solver (EES). Energy Convers Manag. 2015;106:268–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Forristall R. Heat transfer analysis and modeling of a parabolic trough solar receiver implemented in engineering equation solver. Colorado: National Renewable Energy Laboratory–NREL; 2003.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  43. Bellos E, Tzivanidis C, Antonopoulos KA, Daniil I. The use of gas working fluids in parabolic trough collectors—an energetic and exergetic analysis. Appl Therm Eng. 2016;109(A):1–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Bellos E, Tzivanidis C, Antonopoulos KA. A detailed working fluid investigation for solar parabolic trough collectors. Appl Therm Eng. 2017;114:374–86.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Bellos E, Tzivanidis C. A detailed exergetic analysis of parabolic trough collectors. Energy Convers Manag. 2017;149:275–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. F-Chart software, engineering equation solver (EES), 2015. http://www.fchart.com/ees.

  47. Swinbank WC. Long-wave radiation from clear skies. QJR Meteorol Soc. 1963;89:339–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Qiu Y, Li M-J, He Y-L, Tao W-Q. Thermal performance analysis of a parabolic trough solar collector using supercritical CO2 as heat transfer fluid under non-uniform solar flux. Appl Therm Eng. 2017;115:1255–65.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Leinhard J IV, Leinhard V. A heat transfer textbook. 4th ed. Cambridge: Philogiston Press; 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  50. http://www.loikitsdistribution.com/files/syltherm-800-technical-data-sheet.pdf.

  51. Khanafer K, Vafai K. A critical synthesis of thermophysical characteristics of nanofluids. Int J Heat Mass Transf. 2011;54(19):4410–28.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Yu W, Choi SUS. The role of interfacial layers in the enhanced thermal conductivity of nanofluids: a renovated Maxwell model. J Nanopart Res. 2003;5:167.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Duangthongsuk W, Wongwises S. An experimental study on the heat transfer performance and pressure drop of TiO2—water nanofluids flowing under a turbulent flow regime. Int J Heat Mass Transf. 2010;53(1–3):334–44.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Batchelor GK. The effect of Brownian motion on the bulk stress in a suspension of spherical particles. J Fluid Mech. 1977;83:97–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Dr. Evangelos Bellos would like to thank “Bodossaki Foundation” for its financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thermal Department, School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, Zografou, 15780, Athens, Greece

    Evangelos Bellos & Christos Tzivanidis

Authors
  1. Evangelos Bellos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Christos Tzivanidis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Evangelos Bellos.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bellos, E., Tzivanidis, C. Thermal efficiency enhancement of nanofluid-based parabolic trough collectors. J Therm Anal Calorim 135, 597–608 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-018-7056-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-018-7056-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation