Temperature Distribution in the Receiver tube of a Parabolic Trough Collector with Nanofluid

Abstract

In recent advancements within the realm of Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC), a noteworthy stride has been made through the adoption of novel thermal fluids known as nanofluids. This study specifically delves into the numerical investigation of the impact of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) nanofluid as a heat transfer medium on the performance of an indigenously developed parabolic trough collector. In the evaluation, water and MWCNT nanofluid were employed as heat carriers within the PTC tube. The investigation considered variations in flow velocities at the tube entrance, ranging from 0.1, 0.08, and 0.05 m/s. The resulting temperature change differences along the length of the PTC tube were observed to be 1.3, 1.7, and 2.7 K, respectively. Given the absence of specific studies addressing the essential three-dimensional distribution of absorber tube temperatures in parabolic trough collectors, our investigation sought to fill this gap through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. The study aims to contribute insights into the nuanced temperature distribution within the absorber tube, shedding light on the potential benefits of employing MWCNT nanofluids in enhancing the thermal performance of parabolic trough collectors.