Effects of SiO2 Nanoparticle Sizes and Concentrations on Enhancing Heat Transfer in Concentrated Solar Collectors: A CFD Simulation

Authors

Husam Abdulrasool Hasan, Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Department of Studies, Planning & Follow-up Baghdad, 10011, Iraq; AND Electromechanical Engineering Department, University of Technology,10066, Baghdad, IraqFollow
Hussein Togun, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, IraqFollow
Azher M Abed, College of Engineering and Technologies, Al-Mustaqbal University, Babylon 51001, IraqFollow
Hayder I. Mohammed, Department of Physics, College of Education, University of Garmian, Kalar 46021, IraqFollow

Abstract

This study quantitatively examines the influence of SiO₂ nanoparticle concentration and dimensions on the thermal efficiency of a Concentrated Photovoltaic Thermal (CPVT) collector. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations employed water-SiO₂ nanofluid with concentrations of 1-4% and nanoparticle sizes of 20-50 nm as the cooling medium in mini-channels beneath photovoltaic cells at Reynolds numbers between 2000 and 18000. The results indicated that elevating the nanoparticle concentration to 4% augmented the Nusselt number by 12.5% relative to pure water, but diminishing the particle size to 20 nm produced an extra 8% enhancement. The peak decrease in photovoltaic surface temperature was 15.2°C, attained at a 4% concentration and a nanoparticle size of 20 nm. Furthermore, the heat transfer coefficient rose by 18%, while thermal resistance diminished by 21%. These modifications markedly enhanced the thermal dissipation from the PV surface, which is pivotal in augmenting the electrical efficiency of the CPVT collector. The findings indicate that employing SiO₂ nanofluid as a cooling medium effectively improves the thermal and electrical performance of CPVT systems.

Recommended Citation

Hasan, Husam Abdulrasool; Togun, Hussein; Abed, Azher M; and Mohammed, Hayder I. (2024) "Effects of SiO2 Nanoparticle Sizes and Concentrations on Enhancing Heat Transfer in Concentrated Solar Collectors: A CFD Simulation," Terra Joule Journal: Vol. 1: Iss. 2, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64071/3080-5724.1011