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Numerical simulations of a parabolic trough solar collector with nanofluid using a two-phase model

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  • Kaloudis, E.
  • Papanicolaou, E.
  • Belessiotis, V.

Abstract

This study investigates numerically, in terms of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), a Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) system with nanofluid as the Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF). All the heat transfer mechanisms were taken into account to simulate the SEGS LS2-module PTC. The validation process showed very good agreement between the numerical results and the available test results from four typical testing conditions, with the use of Syltherm 800 liquid oil. Specifically, the maximum relative error observed for outlet temperature was 0.3% and 7.3% for the collector efficiency. In order to address the nanofluid modeling problem the two-phase approach was preferred (against single-phase) and validated against experimental and numerical results for a circular tube under constant wall temperature. Overall, a total of 20 different simulation cases were performed for the LS2 module, for a range of nanoparticle (Al2O3) concentrations (0%–4%), thus making it possible for a parametric evaluation on the LS2 efficiency. In addition, the temperature and velocity fields of the Syltherm 800/Al2O3 nanofluid were associated with the enhanced heat transfer occurring at higher nanoparticle concentrations. A boost up to 10% on the collector efficiency was reported for Al2O3 concentration of 4%, which is in accordance with relevant studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaloudis, E. & Papanicolaou, E. & Belessiotis, V., 2016. "Numerical simulations of a parabolic trough solar collector with nanofluid using a two-phase model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 218-229.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:97:y:2016:i:c:p:218-229
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2016.05.046
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    16. Kumaresan, G. & Sudhakar, P. & Santosh, R. & Velraj, R., 2017. "Experimental and numerical studies of thermal performance enhancement in the receiver part of solar parabolic trough collectors," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 1363-1374.
    17. Bellos, Evangelos & Tzivanidis, Christos & Tsimpoukis, Dimitrios, 2018. "Enhancing the performance of parabolic trough collectors using nanofluids and turbulators," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 358-375.
    18. Mwesigye, Aggrey & Yılmaz, İbrahim Halil & Meyer, Josua P., 2018. "Numerical analysis of the thermal and thermodynamic performance of a parabolic trough solar collector using SWCNTs-Therminol®VP-1 nanofluid," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 844-862.
    19. Ju, Xing & Abd El-Samie, Mostafa M. & Xu, Chao & Yu, Hangyu & Pan, Xinyu & Yang, Yongping, 2020. "A fully coupled numerical simulation of a hybrid concentrated photovoltaic/thermal system that employs a therminol VP-1 based nanofluid as a spectral beam filter," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    20. Sheikholeslami, M. & Farshad, Seyyed Ali & Shafee, Ahmad & Babazadeh, Houman, 2021. "Performance of solar collector with turbulator involving nanomaterial turbulent regime," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 1222-1237.
    21. Song, Jifeng & Tong, Kai & Luo, Geng & Li, Lei, 2017. "Influence of non-ideal optical factors in actual engineering on the safety and stability of a parabolic trough collector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1293-1301.
    22. Osorio, Julian D. & Rivera-Alvarez, Alejandro, 2022. "Influence of the concentration ratio on the thermal and economic performance of parabolic trough collectors," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 786-802.
    23. Ajbar, Wassila & Parrales, A. & Huicochea, A. & Hernández, J.A., 2022. "Different ways to improve parabolic trough solar collectors’ performance over the last four decades and their applications: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    24. Nabeel Abed & Imran Afgan & Andrea Cioncolini & Hector Iacovides & Adel Nasser, 2020. "Assessment and Evaluation of the Thermal Performance of Various Working Fluids in Parabolic Trough Collectors of Solar Thermal Power Plants under Non-Uniform Heat Flux Distribution Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-29, July.
    25. Khosravi, Ali & Malekan, Mohammad & Assad, Mamdouh E.H., 2019. "Numerical analysis of magnetic field effects on the heat transfer enhancement in ferrofluids for a parabolic trough solar collector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 54-63.

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