Experimental Investigation on Thermal Conductivity and Viscosity of Phase Change Material (NaNO3 and KNO3) with Different Concentrations of ZnO Polymer Nanofluids for Solar Energy Absorption

When evaluating the effectiveness of solar heat absorption methods or solar thermal energy storage systems (TESS), heat transfer fluid is a crucial element. Thermal conductivity and usable heat obtained for any industrial or immediate power plant efficiency are improved by the distinctive refining of Heat Transfer Fluid (HFT). The phase change material used in this study, known as solar salt is a blend of 60% NaNO3 and 40% KNO3. It is prepared as the base solution of HTF and is improved by the addition of ZnO3 polymer nanofluids at different concentrations between 0.01 and 0.05. Utilizing a single HTF as a medium in solar energy absorption systems such as collectors and storing that energy in a TESS for further use in thermal energy generation is the main driving force behind this research. As a result, the amount of heat lost during absorption and storage can be reduced and used for longer. The prepared HTF has undergone experimental examination, and its fluid and thermal characteristics are examined at changes in temperature between 25 and 50 degrees Celsius. After sonicating the various produced solutions for 30 minutes, the experiment was conducted. As a result, a total of 6 samples with volume concentrations of ZnO3 polymer nanofluids as 0.01,0.02,0.03,0.04 and 0.05 were prepared in the research lab, along with a sample without polymer nanofluids. The KD2 Pro setup is used to conduct experiments to evaluate the thermal conductivity and viscosity of the prepared solution at various temperatures, including 25(degrees)C, 30(degrees)C, 35(degrees)C, 40(degrees)C, 45(degrees)C and 50(degrees)C. The outcome of the temperature gradient's effect on thermal conductivity and viscosity demonstrates the Brownian motion of the polymer nanofluids and the enhancement of the solution's thermophoresis. As a result, the research indicates that the HTF's refining for both absorbing solar energy and storing heat energy in TESS has advanced.