Efficiency Enhancement of Parabolic through Solar Collector using ZnO/Water Nanofluid

Abstract

In recent years, the increased demand for energy has contributed to an increase in the number of studies focusing on renewable energy sources. The empirical and theoretical efficiencies of a parabolic trough solar collector are investigated. Fluid includes 1% and 2% volume concentrations of ZnO/water nanofluid and mass flow rates of 0.15 to 0.25 to 0.35 kg/min. The experimental study took place over the course of three months (February, March and April) in Kirkuk, Iraq. The solar collector's thermal losses decreased as the flow rate increased, heat gain increased with sun intensity and the collector's actual and theoretical efficiencies all improved. The efficiency found in experiments was found to be 10% lower than that predicted by theory. At the greatest volumetric flow rate, using a nanofluid composed of 2% ZnO and water improves the performance of solar collectors by 9%.