Nano Fluid Thermal Solar-1
Nano Fluid Thermal Solar-1
Nano Fluid Thermal Solar-1
CHAPTER 1
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Currently used energy resources are natural gas, air,crude oil,coal and nuclear fuel for
power generation but these energy resources causes emission of COx, NOx and
radioactive rays which are responsible for global warming over a century.As they causes
greenhouse gas production ,air pollution,water and soil pollution,acid rain,depletion of
ozone layer.Major disadvantage of these energy resources is that once exhausted they are
not easily replenished
To meet the challenges of the impending energy crisis,renewable energy has been
growing rapidly in the last decade. Among the renewable energy sources, solar energy is
the most extensively available energy. It has the least effect on the environment. It is
clean, almost maintenance free and is very efficient in terms of energy conversion. It has
an important effect in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Thus solar energy is the
best resource of renewable energy to fulfill the energy requirements.
For the efficient use of available solar energy it is necessary to capture maximum solar
energy and stored it to supply when demands. Thus the process of capturing and storing
solar energy which is radiated from the sun is called solar energy harvesting. Also the
equipment which collects solar energy from the solar radiations by absorbing and
transferring it to working fluid is called solar collector. There are two types of solar
collectors’ namely photovoltaic collector and solar thermal collector .Out of these solar
thermal collectors are the best as they have large absorbing surface area. Solar thermal
collectors are also available with different types like flat plate collector, parabolic trough
collector and evacuated u tube solar collector.
Among the solar thermal collector Evacuated tube solar thermal collector is the most
efficient thermal collector .As it’s having the solar thermal energy generation with the
rate of efficiency of 70% is possible.This high rate of efficiency is achieved because of
the way in which the evacuated tube system is constructed .ETSC consist of two
concentric tubes;the inner tube is coated with a selective coating while outer is
transparent. Between the inner and outer tubes there is an annular space where the air is
evacuated at a vacuum pressure. This vacuum leads to an important improvement of the
thermal performance of this solar collector due the reduction of heat losses. The
cylindrical shape of evacuated tubes means that they are able to collect sunlight
throughout the day. The reflective coating on the inside of the tube will also not degrade
unless the vacuum is lost. These construction allows more radiations to reach the
absorber also reduces the chances of moisture enter which corrodes the absorber.
In solar thermal collector for the thermal energy absorption commonly used fluids are
water, oil, ethylene glycol but these fluids are not much efficient because of their low
thermal conductivity. As the performance of these solar thermal collector is depends on
base fluid and environmental conditions hence for obtaining high performance of solar
thermal collector high thermal conductivity Nanofluids are utilized instead of common
fluids. Nanofluid is the mixture of base fluid and nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are the
particles having size in the range 1 to 100nm.
CHAPTER 2
The literature survey is carried out as a part of the project work. It contains the review of
research about thermal properties of Nano fluid material and performance of ETSC.
Raja Sekhara al.[1] In their paper explains the heat transfer enhancement with Al2O3
Nanofluid and twisted tapes in pipes for solar thermal applications.They used flat plate
thermal collector for low temperature heating applications.The performance of system is
influence by heat transfer from tube to working fluid,with minimum convective losses.In
this paper,convective heat transfer analysis for a horizontal circular pipe with fluid in
mixed laminar flow range is performed using experimental simulating under constant
heat flux boundary conditions.The variation of heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop
in pipe flow for water and water based Al2O3 Nanofluids at different volume
concentrations and twisted tapes are studied.The dependence of particle concentrations
and Reynolds number for enhancement in heat transfer and increase in the pumping
power due to pressure drop is analyzed in the range of parameters considered.
increases up to 47.05% of the base fluid and 0.8% volume fraction of CuO Nano fluid
increases up to 61.7%of the base fluid .The result indicate an increase of enhancement of
thermal conductivity with temperature found to be agreeing excellently with a wide range
of different models .
Dharma lingam Ramasamy et al [4],in their paper they said that the peak performance
of a solar collector with flat plate is increased by via Nano fluid which acts as a heat
transfer layer. The thermal behavior of solar collector while using Nano fluids as heat
transfer medium can be analyzed using experimental numerical techniques. It gives
average output values for given input values of system. In their work experimental
analysis of solar collector is performed using water and copper oxide water (CuO-H2O)
Nano fluid as heat transfer medium. The result shows that the rate of heat transfer for
CuO is better than water. The pressure drop across the solar collector is more in CuO
Nano fluid due to its high density and viscosity.
J.Arturo Alfaro-Ayala et al[5],In this work ,the optimization process was applied to
geometry of low temperature water in glass ,evacuated tube solar collector. They used the
computational fluid dynamics and simulation annealing method for their experiment
.About 259 different collector model were constructed and modeled. This result shows
that the Optical geometry had higher thermal efficiency at any operational and weather
condition than commercial geometry.
CHAPTER 3
A device designed to absorb incident solar radiation and to transfer the energy to a fluid
passing in contact with it usually liquid or air.
The solar energy thus collected is carried from the circulating fluid either directly to the
hot water or space conditioning equipment or to a thermal energy storage tank from
which can be drawn for use at night and cloudy day
When the climate is not so warm or the working temperature is high, the flat plate
collector cannot work efficiently because of heat losses hence the evacuated tube can be
used.In ETC, the absorber surface with selective coating (absorptivity 95%,
emissivity<5%) is placed in double layer tube with vacuum between two layers.The
vacuum surrounding the absorber can greatly reduce the convection and conduction heat
losses. In this case the efficiency can be increased.
Evacuated tube solar collector is a device which is used to deliver heat at relatively high
temperature for various applications including water heating, air conditioning, etc.
The collector can achieve temperature above 120̊C, due to the combine effect of highly
selective surface coating and vacuum insulation.Although many methods are available
for heating the working fluid, Evacuated u tube solar collector is more attractive due to its
capability of achieving both high temperature and high thermal efficiency. Also they are
cost effective, reliable and have a reasonably long lifetime.
of the heat pipe.This transference of the heat is a continuous circulation as long as the
collector is heated by the sun.
CHAPTER 4
The performance of solar thermal collector is depends on base fluid used and
environmental conditions but as the conventional base fluids like water, oil, ethylene
glycol are having their low thermal conductivity also the intensity of sun’s radiations
varies with time and season hence to obtained improved thermal performance and
increased thermal efficiency our aim is to design and development of Nano fluid charged
solar thermal collector
4.2Aim
The aim of our project is to design equipment for measurement of Thermal Conductivity
of Nano fluid and to determine the performance of Nanofluid charged solar thermal
collector for academic experimental purpose.
4.3 Objective
1. Criticallyassess theparameters to enhance the performance of solar thermal
collector.
2. Selection of Nano particles for enhancement the performance of solar thermal
collector.
3. Design and development of Nano fluid charged solar thermal collector.
5.1 METHODOLOGY
CHAPTER 6
We have to increase the thermal conductivity of our solar thermal conductor and
for that purpose different properties of nanoparticles we to consider as follows
Low Viscosity
Environmental friendly
Low Cost
High Durability
There are mainly four types of nanopartivles viz. ceramic nanoparticles, metallic
nanoparticles, alloy nanoparticles, carbon based nanoparticles. These four types of
nanoparticles with example are shown in the following chart
Amrutvahini College of Engineering, Sangamner. B.E. (Mechanical)
10
Design and Development of Nano fluid Charged Solar Thermal Collector
Types of
Nanoparticles
Nitrogen- 22.6%
8 Solubility in Water Insoluble
9 Melting Point 2947 ̊C
10 Heat Capacity 24 J/K.mol(500k)
11 Magnetic Susceptibility 38*10^-6
12 Standard molar Entropy -95.7 J/(K.mol)^(4)
13 Standard Enthalpy of formation -336 KJ/mol^(4)
14 Chemical Stability At 20 ̊C
(Volume of nanoparticles)
ɸ= ( × 100
Volume of nanoparticles ) +(Volume of base fluid )
M np
ρ np
= ×100
M np M nf
+
ρnp ρw
1) Forφ=0.1
M np
5240
0 .1= ×100
M np 1
+
5240 998
M np=5.25 gm
2) For φ=0.2
M np
5240
0 .2= ×100
M np 1
+
5240 998
M np=10 .26 gm
3) For φ=0.3
M np
5240
0 .3= ×100
M np 1
+
5240 998
M np=15.7988 gm
4) Forφ=0.4
M np
5240
0 . 4= ×100
M np 1
+
5240 998
M np=21.0863 gm
5) For φ=0.5
M np
5240
0 .5= ×100
M np 1
+
5240 998
M np=26 . 3844 gm
CHAPTER 7
7.1.1 Components
1.Copper Tube
Copper tube turned in u shape; basically it is used for outlet and inlet of warm and cold
water respectively. Copper tubing is most often used for the supply of hot and cold tap
water, and as a refrigerant line in HVAC systems. There are two basic types of copper
tubing, soft copper and rigid copper. Copper tubing is joined using flare connection,
compression connection, or solder.
Many types of solar water heater available in market. In that some of the types of
a solar water heater are the flat plate collectors and evacuated tube collectors. Evacuated
tube collectors. Evacuated tube collectors are made of a glass tube where the outer
covering absorbs the solar radiation and the heat generated is transferred to the flowing
water.It absorbs solar energy and converts it to usable heat. A vacuum between the two
glass layers insulates against heat loss.
Fig.7.3 Aluminium Foil clip for copper tube insides the glass tube.
3] Structural body:
Structural body to be made by MS square bar, which hold the all components of
experimental set up. Mild steel has a high resistance to breakage. Mild steel, as opposed
to higher carbon steels, is quite malleable, even when cold. This means it has high tensile
and impact strength. Higher carbon steels usually shatter or crack under stress, while mild
steel bends or deforms.
4] Pump
Amrutvahini College of Engineering, Sangamner. B.E. (Mechanical)
16
Design and Development of Nano fluid Charged Solar Thermal Collector
DC powered pumps use direct current from motor, battery, or solar power to move fluid
in a variety of ways. Motorized pumps typically operate on 6, 12, 24, or 32 volts
of DC power. Solar-powered DC pumps use photovoltaic (PV) panels with solar cells
that produce direct current when exposed to sunlight. The pump sucks the prepared
Nanofluid and delivers to the optimum head in copper tube which is inserted in evacuated
glass tube.
Pump is selected in such a way that it should provide required mass flow rate of flow
through test section. Power required, to pump fluid from water tank to different
components of experimental step is given by,
Fig.7.5 DC Pump
5] Container box
CHAPTER 8
An experimental test setup was fabricated to compare the performance of solar thermal
collector by using water and Nano fluid as a working fluid. The experimental setup
consist of an evacuated u- tube solar thermal collector with a copper tube at its core ,
Nichrome wire ,collecting and storage tank, insulation, heat exchanger. Set up also
consist of different measuring sensors like temperature sensor, flow measuring device,
voltage and current measuring device .The copper tube is heated uniformly by wrapping
it with two nichrome heaters of 20 gauge having resistance of 53.5 ohms per meter length
and 1000w maximum rating and the entire test section is subjected to a constant heat flux
boundary conditions. The space between test section and the outer casing is insulated
with Rockwool to minimize heat losses.
The test section of 1.8m in length is provided with five k-type thermocouples in which
two were located to measure the working fluid inlet and outlet temperature and the other
three were brazed to the surface at equal distance from entry. All the thermocouples have
0.1̊C resolutions and are calibrated before fixing them at the specified locations and the
accuracy is within 0.4̊C.
Experiments are conducted with distilled water with a view to test the accuracy of the
results .The aspect ratio of the test section is sufficiently large for the flow to be hydro-
dynamically developed. The flow from the storage tank is forced through a test section
with the aid of pump connected to the suction side of the tank. The liquid is heated in the
test section and hot fluid is allowed to cool by passing it through a heat exchanger. Heat
exchanger helps to achieve the steady inlet fluid temperature. The Nano fluid is allowed
to flow through an evacuated u tube solar thermal collector having inner tube diameter of
10.7cm and outer diameter of 12.7cm.Nanofluid at different volume concentrations of
0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5% is used in conducting the experiments .The thermal
properties of Nano fluid such as thermal conductivity, density, viscosity and specific heat
of Nano fluids at different concentrations are estimated using various equation.
The preparation of Nano fluid must ensure proper dispersion of nanoparticles in the
liquid and proper mechanism such as control of pH value to attain the stability of the
suspension against sedimentation. In the present experiment magnetic stirrer is used for
dispersing the particles. At different temperatures of Nano fluids the magnetic stirrer is
possible.
The nanoparticles were produced by using physical vapors synthesis method under
atmospheric temperature conditions these particles form loose agglomerates, which are
the order of micrometers. However they can be dispersed in the fluid quit successfully
which results in breaking of the agglomerates to some extent to giving particles of
nanometer range. The particles of lognormal size distribution. The agglomerates of
nanoparticles after dispersion are much smaller compared to that of powder, which
confirms a good dispersion in the liquid .However to compare the results with the
dispersion of particles was done by first mixing the required volume of powder in the
chemical measuring flask with distilled water and then using magnetic stirrer to disperse
it. The unknown weight of nanoparticle powder is calculated based on known percentage
of volume fraction, known density of particles, known density of water by using the law
of mixture. After making the proper mixture flask was placed on the dimmer controlled
magnetic base and another different pole magnetic strip present in the Nano fluid will
start rotating. This process is done up to 10hr for proper mixing of particles in the base
fluid. High temperature stirrer is possible by using this.
After this no sedimentations was observed for the fluids for about next 12hr and
thereafter minor sedimentations was observed for 0.7% and 0.8%(volume
fractions)suspension even though in practical applications it is expected to stabilize the
particle with suitable third agent such as oleic acid or laureate salts. In the present case
this has not been done .This is because time required for the experiment were much less
than that required for the first sedimentation to occur and the addition of the third agent.
To keep consistency with this, for each experiment the freshly stirred Nano fluid was
used so that the experimental time of 2 to 25 hr. does not bring out sedimentations. As a
cross check, density of Nano fluids was measured and was also calculated from weight of
powder alone and the volume suspension assuming the rest of volume to be of water. The
two calculates agreed excellently excluding any possibilities of agglomerates with non
Amrutvahini College of Engineering, Sangamner. B.E. (Mechanical)
20
Design and Development of Nano fluid Charged Solar Thermal Collector
wetted space between. Thus Nano fluid was prepared which are usable for conductivity
measurement without any stabilizing agent.
CHAPTER 9
Specifications Dimensions
Number
constit of
Cptubes 1
ϱ(Kg/m^2) µ(Ns/m^2) K(W/
uent (J/KgK) mk)
1)Length of Manifold
1
Lm=2×[ 25. 4 +( ×φtub ) ]+[ ( 25. 4 +φ tub )×( N tub−1) ]
2
1
=2×[ 25. 4+( ×58) ]+[( 25 . 4 +58)×( 1−1 ) ]
2
π
V tub = ×φ2tub ×Ltub× N tub
4
π
V tub = ×10 . 72 ×180×1
4
3
=16185 . 64243 cm
3
=0 . 016185 m
V m=V tub ×V r
=0 . 016185×0. 25
−3 3
=4 . 04641×10 m
4)Diameter of Manifold
4 (V m )
φm =
√ π×Lm
4 ( 4 . 0464×10−3 )
φm =
√ π×0 . 1088
=0 . 2184 m
=21. 84 cm
1)Density
2)Viscosity
μbf
μnf =
( 1−φ )2. 5
3)Specific Heat
C p, nf =C p , np ( φ ) +C P , bf ( 1−φ )
4) Thermal Conductivity
5) COLLECTOR EFFICIENCY
Selection of pump
ᵨ
Ph = QgH
20
=(1000)( )(9.81)(50)
60∗1000
=183.4 W
Ph 183.4
P= = = 305.67
ᶯ 0.6
305.67
P= = 0.41 HP =0.5 HP
0.746
Hence, a single stage centrigugal pump of capacity 0.5 HP is selected
CHAPTER 10
EXPECTED OUTCOME
By using Nano fluid as a working fluid in the experimental set up of evacuated tube solar
thermal collector the outcome which are expected
CHAPTER 11
8 Final write-up of
report
CHAPTER 12
REFERENCES
1. Raja SekharY SharmaK.V Thundil KarupparajR Chiranjeevi C Heat transfer
enhancement with Al2O3 Nano fluids and twisted tapes in a pipe for solar thermal
applications International conference on DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING
,Icon DM 2013.p1474-1484.
2. SahibaM.A SaidurR Saad MEKHILEF An experimental study on evacuated
tube solar collector using Nano fluids Transaction on Science and Technology
2015,vol.2,No 1,pp42-49.
3. SyamSundarY Sharma K.V ThundilKarapparaj R Chiranjivi C Thermal
conductivity enhancement of nanoparticles in distilled water International journal
of nanoparticles,vol.1,No1,p66-77
4. DharmalingamRamasamy Sudhakara Reddy S.Ramachandran
T,Gunasekharan S Experimental analysis of Thermal performance of Solar
Collector using CuO-H2O Nano fluid International Journal Of Innovative
Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE)vol.8,2018.pp34-39.
Insulation selection
To avoid heat loss to the atmosphere it is necessary to cover test section with
appropriate layer of insulation. Insulation should sustain temperature of heater i.e. 550ᵒC
with minimum heat loss to atmosphere. Keeping this aspect in mind “Ceramic Wood” is
selected for insulation purpose.
Thickness of insulation must be selected from heat transfer point of view to achieve
minimum heat loss to atmosphere. For proper selection of insulation, critical thickness of
insulation is important to know, which is given by,
Any thickness of insulation more than 5mm will reduce heat loss. From heat transfer
point of view, thickness of 25mm is selected.
Pump selection
Pump is selected in such a way that it should provide required mass flow rate of flow
through test section. Power required, to pump fluid from water tank to different
components of experimental step is given by,
Heater Selection
Heater is to be wound on outer periphery of the test section tube. Heater is selected in
such a way that it can provide constant heat flux. To calculate the capacity of heat
required, it is essential to know mass flow rate of fluid, heat transfer rate, and losses
through test section. Minimum temperature difference of 1ᵒC is considered for heater
design.
ᵨ vD
Re =
µ
(988.1)(V )(0.02)
25000 =
0.547∗10−2
V= 0.692 m/sec
M=(ᵨ)(V)(Ac)
π 2
=(988.1)(0.692)( ∗0.02 )
2
=0.859kg/s
Q= mCp T
= (0.859)(4181.1)(1)
= 3.59Kw
Assuming, losses of 4%
Q= (1.04)(3.59)=3.74kW
Estimated Parameters
In this analysis, from the measured parameters for water and different concentration of
nanofluid, following parameters are essential to be estimate. They are as listed below
1. Reynold number
2. Nusselt number
3. Prandlt number
5. Friction factor
Measured Parameters
5 Pump 0.5 HP
Testing Conditions