Improving the Efficiency of Solar Flat Plate Collector Using Phase Change Material and Nanofluids

Abstract

In the present work, investigations are made to study performance characteristics of a solar flat plate collector with PCM and nanofluids. A flat plate collector is one of the important solar energy-trapping devices that use air or water as a working fluid. In this project, we designed and fabricated the flat plate collector for commercial application. It is capable of using both diffuse and direct beam solar radiation. For residential and commercial use, flat plate collectors can produce heat at sufficiently high temperatures to preheat water for boilers, heat swimming pools, provide domestic hot water, and heat buildings. They can also operate a cooling unit, particularly if the incident sunlight is increased by the use of reflectors. Temperatures up to 45°C are easily attained by flat plate collectors. We are going to test the performance of the flat plate collector with the outlet temperature of water without using PCM and using PCM (Zn(NO3)2.6H2O) and nanofluid (Al2O3). By obtaining the values and comparing the rate of heat transfer.