Performance Analysis of a Parabolic Solar Trough Collector using Al2O3/ Deionized Water Nanofluid

Author(s): K. Syed Jafar

Abstract: The solar collector performance can be enhanced with help of Nanofluids. The Nano fluid has high conductivity property. So, it can be able to absorb maximum possible concentrated incident solar radiation and also change the heat transfer characteristics of the base fluid. The experimental investigation was carried out to study the performance of a Parabolic Trough Collector using the deionized water and water-based Al2O3 nanofluids as the working fluid. In this experiment, 0.1% volume and 0.3% volume of Al2O3 nanoparticles concentration have been taken for analysis. The result showed that the better performance of a Parabolic Trough Collector is achieved while using 0.3% volume concentration of Al2O3 nanofluid and it is also compared with the conventional fluid under the outdoor condition.