An experimental investigation of SiC nanofluid as a base-fluid for a photovoltaic thermal PV/T system. (15th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al-Waeli, Ali H.A.; Sopian, K.; Chaichan, Miqdam T.; Kazem, Hussein A.; Hasan, Husam Abdulrasool; Al-Shamani, Ali Najah
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 142(2017)
• Page Start: 547
• Page End: 558
• Publication Date: 2017-06-15
• Subjects: PVT collector -- Nanofluids -- Nanoparticles -- Thermal efficiency -- Electrical efficiency -- Combined PVT efficiencies; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2017.03.076
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Nano-SiC-water used as a base fluid for cooling an outdoor PV/T system. The used nanofluid improved the thermal and electrical efficiencies of the PV/T system. The stability of nanofluid was examined for an extended period and found to be stable. The overall effectiveness found to be 88.9% compared to the separate PV system. Abstract: The thermophysical properties of nanofluid composed of water and SiC nanoparticles without the use of a surfactant as a coolant for a PV/T system was investigated. It was observed that the addition of 3 wt% of these nanoparticles to water caused an increase in the resulting fluid density by up to 0.0082% and an increase of viscosity by up to 1.8%. Moreover, the thermal conductivity was enhanced by up to 8.2% for the tested temperature range of 25 °C–60 °C. The stability of the nanofluid was examined at intervals of three months and it was found that after six months the thermal conductivity reduced by up to 0.003 W/m K, indicating that the solution was stable and suitable for use for long periods. The use of 3 wt% SiC nanofluid increased the electrical efficiency by up to 24.1% compared to the PV system alone, while the thermal efficiency increased by up to 100.19% compared to the use of water for cooling. The final results indicated that the total effectiveness of the PV/T nanofluid system had a higher overall efficiency of about 88.9% compared to the separate PV system.