Numerical simulation of the performance of a novel parabolic solar receiver filled with nanofluid

Abstract

The aim of this work is the energy analysis of a novel semicircle-shaped parabolic trough solar collector filled with the water–boehmite alumina (ALOOH) nanofluid. The impacts of Reynolds numbers and nanoparticle volume fraction (φ) on the performance metrics are examined. It was observed that the usage of flow passage above the channel also operates as a turbulator and results in more heat transfer and pressure drop because of more local vortexes. The energy efficacy always increases with an increase in the absorber channel diameter. Higher absorber diameters result in a larger heat transfer surface and can improve the energy efficacy. Therefore, there are an optimum Re number and an optimal channel diameter, which result in the maximum energy efficacy. The channel with a diameter of D\u2009=\u2009110 mm has the highest energy efficacy among all the studied cases, followed by configurations with D\u2009=\u2009105, 100, 95 and 90 mm, respectively.