The present study aims to develop a compact experimental facility to trap solar energy. Line focusing concentrators, i.e., Fresnel lens and secondary reflectors, are coupled to enhance the photothermal conversion efficiency. Two types of receiver tubes are used, a plain copper tube and an evacuated glass tube embedded with a copper tube. Surfactant-free multiwalled carbon nanotubes–Therminol55 nanofluid with concentrations of 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm are used in this study. The characterization of the nanoparticles and nanofluids is presented. In the visible range, a maximum absorbance and extinction coefficient of 0.75 and 1.7 cm−1 are obtained for 100 ppm concentration. The thermal conductivity is also enhanced by 6.29% compared to base fluid. A maximum fluid temperature of 78.15 and 89.58 °C is observed for plain receiver tube and receiver tube in evacuated space, respectively, and the corresponding efficiencies are 12.65 and 17.36%
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December 2019
Research-Article
Photothermal Energy Conversion Enhancement Studies Using Low Concentration Nanofluids
P. Kalidoss,
P. Kalidoss
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Tiruchirappalli 620015, Tamil Nadu,
e-mail: kalidossmech1991@gmail.com
National Institute of Technology
,Tiruchirappalli 620015, Tamil Nadu,
India
e-mail: kalidossmech1991@gmail.com
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S. Venkatachalapathy,
S. Venkatachalapathy
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Tiruchirappalli 620015, Tamil Nadu,
e-mail: svc@nitt.edu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
National Institute of Technology
,Tiruchirappalli 620015, Tamil Nadu,
India
e-mail: svc@nitt.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
S. Suresh
S. Suresh
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Tiruchirappalli 620015, Tamil Nadu,
e-mail: ssuresh@nitt.edu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
National Institute of Technology
,Tiruchirappalli 620015, Tamil Nadu,
India
e-mail: ssuresh@nitt.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
P. Kalidoss
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Tiruchirappalli 620015, Tamil Nadu,
e-mail: kalidossmech1991@gmail.com
National Institute of Technology
,Tiruchirappalli 620015, Tamil Nadu,
India
e-mail: kalidossmech1991@gmail.com
S. Venkatachalapathy
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Tiruchirappalli 620015, Tamil Nadu,
e-mail: svc@nitt.edu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
National Institute of Technology
,Tiruchirappalli 620015, Tamil Nadu,
India
e-mail: svc@nitt.edu
S. Suresh
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Tiruchirappalli 620015, Tamil Nadu,
e-mail: ssuresh@nitt.edu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
National Institute of Technology
,Tiruchirappalli 620015, Tamil Nadu,
India
e-mail: ssuresh@nitt.edu
Contributed by the Solar Energy Division of ASME for publication in the Journal of Solar Energy Engineering: Including Wind Energy and Building Energy Conservation. Manuscript received March 14, 2019; final manuscript received May 26, 2019; published online June 11, 2019. Assoc. Editor: Isaac Mahderekal.
J. Sol. Energy Eng. Dec 2019, 141(6): 061012 (8 pages)
Published Online: June 11, 2019
Article history
Received:
March 14, 2019
Revision Received:
May 26, 2019
Accepted:
May 27, 2019
Citation
Kalidoss, P., Venkatachalapathy, S., and Suresh, S. (June 11, 2019). "Photothermal Energy Conversion Enhancement Studies Using Low Concentration Nanofluids." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. December 2019; 141(6): 061012. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4043864
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