Numerical Simulation on the Performance of Nanofluid-Based Direct Absorption Solar Collector With Parabolic Trough Concentrator

Nanofluids obtain high stability, improved heat transfer capability and excellent optical properties, the low-temperature nanofluid-based direct absorption solar collector (NDASC) has been previously investigated. However, the detailed radiation absorption and heat transfer mechanism for a NDASC with a solar concentrator operated on medium-temperature conditions were seldom researched. Therefore, this paper presents a numerical study on the solar collection characteristics of NDASC with a parabolic trough concentrator. CuO/oil nanofluids with various weight concentration from 0.05% to 0.1% were prepared, and used as working fluids of NDASCs, respectively. Using the developed heat transfer model, operating characteristics of NDASCs were simulated. Furthermore, the influences of weight concentration of nanofluids on the heat transfer characteristics in the NDASCs were analyzed and optimum weight concentration used for the designed NDASC obtained.