Thermal efficiency, heat transfer, and friction factor analyses of mwcnt + fe3o4/water hybrid nanofluids in a solar flat plate collector under thermosyphon condition

Abstract

The heat transfer, friction factor, and collector efficiency are estimated experimentally for multi-walled carbon nanotubes+Fe3O4 hybrid nanofluid flows in a solar flat plate collector under thermosyphon circulation. The combined technique of in-situ growth and chemical coprecipitation was utilized to synthesize the multi-walled carbon nanotubes+Fe3O4 hybrid nanoparticles. The experiments were carried out at volume flow rates from 0.1 to 0.75 L/min and various concentrations from 0.05% to 0.3%. The viscosity and thermal conductivity of the hybrid nanofluids were experimentally measured at different temperatures and concentrations. Due to the improved thermophysical properties of the hybrid nanofluids, the collector achieved better thermal efficiency. Results show that the maximum thermal conductivity and viscosity enhancements are 28.46% and 50.4% at 0.3% volume concentration and 60◦C compared to water data. The Nusselt number, heat transfer coefficient, and friction factor are augmented by 18.68%, 39.22%, and 18.91% at 0.3% volume concentration and 60◦C over water data at the maximum solar radiation. The collector thermal efficiency improved by 28.09% at 0.3 vol. % at 13:00 h daytime and a Reynolds number of 1413 over water data. Empirical correlations were developed for friction factor and Nusselt number.