Examining experimentally the thermo-physical characteristics of CuO nanofluids and how they affect a flat plate solar collector used in the desalination process

Abstract

To determine the thermophysical characteristics of cupric oxide/water-based nanofluids, experimental studies have been conducted. Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate (SDBS), a surfactant, is added to the CuO/water nanofluid to improve the dispersion stability of the CuO/nanoparticles when compared to a pure water suspension. A suitable volumetric fraction of 0.05% was selected for the CuO/water nanofluid. In solar thermal applications, nanofluids are effective heat transfer carriers for thermal energy harvesting. This paper discusses the theoretical and experimental use of nanofluids in solar thermal research. Experimental research has also looked into how these nanofluids' density and viscosity affect solar collectors. The solar collector reduces system heat losses by letting solar radiation reach the energy collection surface. Since silicon solar cells impart lower impurity levels during the process, they are preferred in this paper for a variety of energy requirements. Because aluminum basin and FRP or GRP chute materials are less reactive with saline water during the desalination process, they are commonly used. Based on this procedure, the suggested model is used to assess the mass flow rate, mass of the steam, and solar radiation for various March weather conditions. Additionally, a theoretical and experimental comparison of the synthesized nanoparticle's and prepared nanofluid's thermo-physical characteristics was conducted. With this model, the lowest mass of steam produced is 21.68 kg, and the maximum mass produced is 71.72 kg. The suggested model's volumetric efficiency without nanofluid.