Performance analysis of a minichannel-based solar collector using different nanofluids
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Author list: Mahian O., Kianifar A., Sahin A.Z., Wongwises S.
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication year: 2014
Journal: Energy Conversion and Management (0196-8904)
Volume number: 88
Start page: 129
End page: 138
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 0196-8904
Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)
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Abstract
In this paper, an analytical analysis has been performed to evaluate the performance of a minichannel-based solar collector using four different nanofluids including Cu/water, Al2O3/water, TiO2/water, and SiO2/water. The analysis of first and second laws is conducted for turbulent flow by considering the constant mass flow rate of nanofluid. The results are presented for volume fractions up to 4% and nanoparticle size of 25 nm where the inner diameter of the risers of flat plate collector is assumed to be 2 mm. Analysis of the first law of thermodynamics reveals that Al2O3/water nanofluids show the highest heat transfer coefficient in the tubes while the lowest value belongs to SiO2/water nanofluids. The highest outlet temperature is provided by Cu/water nanofluids, and after that TiO2/water, Al2O3/water, and SiO2/water nanofluids are in ranks of second to fourth. The results of second law analysis elucidate that Cu/water nanofluid produces the lowest entropy generation among the nanofluids. It is found that although the effective thermal conductivity of TiO2/water nanofluids is less than Al2O3/water nanofluids, but the entropy generation of TiO2/water is lower than Al2O3/water. Finally, some recommendations are given for future studies on the applications of nanofluids in solar collectors. ฉ 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Minichannel solar collector
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