A comparative analysis of parabolic trough collector (PTC) using a hybrid nanofluid

Solar energy can be converted into thermal energy that can be utilized in both residential and industrial applications by using a parabolic through collector (PTC). Hybrid nanofluids are innovative heat transfer fluids made up of a base fluid and solid nanometer-sized particles (nanoparticles) that significantly boost the thermal properties of the fluid and, in turn, the system’s thermal performance. The working fluid for considered PTC used in this paper is a hybrid nanofluid. This study gives a comprehensive, thorough thermo-mathematical numerical analysis of PTC collectors employing multiwall carbon nanotube- aluminium oxide (MWCNT/Al2O3) hybrid nanofluids in a subtropical desert with moderate winters and very hot, sunny summers. A temperature variation in the components of the PTC, thermodynamic (energy, the exergy of the solar collector under hot desert conditions is carried out using an Engineering Equation Solver (EES). The numerical model was initially checked against published experimental data, and a reasonable agreement was achieved. Results reveal that an increase in nanoparticle concentration could positively influence the performance of the PTC collector. When the 1.5% MWCNT/1.5% Al2O3-water hybrid nanofluid is regarded as a cooling fluid, the maximum outlet fluid temperature, energy, the exergy of the PTC collector are achieved. The PTC operates effectively on a summer day under hot climatic circumstances while limiting performance on winter days. For the summer day, the maximum energy, the exergy generated by the PTC using a 1.5% MWCNT/1.5% Al2O3-water hybrid nanofluid, is 5066 W, and 876 W, respectively.