Effect of Different Single Nanoparticles on the Performance of a Parabolic Trough Solar Receiver Equipped with Twisted-Tape Inserts

Sabaghchi, Donya; Abedinejad, Mohammad Sadegh; Teymoori, ALI REZA

doi:10.47176/MAJ.2025.1558

Effect of Different Single Nanoparticles on the Performance of a Parabolic Trough Solar Receiver Equipped with Twisted-Tape Inserts

Document Type : Propulsion and Heat Transfer

Authors

Donya Sabaghchi ¹

Mohammad Sadegh Abedinejad ²

ALI REZA Teymoori ³

¹ Master's Degree, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

³ Master's Degree, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran

10.47176/MAJ.2025.1558

Abstract

In this study, the thermal–hydraulic performance of a parabolic solar receiver equipped with twisted tapes inside the absorber tube is numerically investigated using various nanofluids. The studied nanofluids consist of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), graphene, silicon carbide (SiC), zinc oxide (ZnO), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles dispersed in Syltherm 800 as the base fluid at volume concentrations of 1.0%, 3.0%, and 5.0%. Numerical simulations are performed using ANSYS Fluent with the realizable k–ε turbulence model over a Reynolds number range of 9200 to 115000. The results indicate that the addition of nanoparticles generally enhances the Nusselt number and improves heat transfer performance; however, the magnitude of enhancement strongly depends on the nanoparticle type and its volume concentration. Among the investigated nanofluids, aluminum oxide and silicon carbide at a concentration of 3.0% provide the best compromise between heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop. In contrast, graphene exhibits the highest thermal enhancement at a concentration of 5.0%. Overall, the findings demonstrate the significant potential of nanofluids for improving the performance of parabolic solar collectors.

Graphical Abstract