Volumetric solar heating and steam generation via gold nanofluids. (15th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amjad, Muhammad; Raza, Ghulam; Xin, Yan; Pervaiz, Shahid; Xu, Jinliang; Du, Xiaoze; Wen, Dongsheng
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 206(2017)
• Page Start: 393
• Page End: 400
• Publication Date: 2017-11-15
• Subjects: Nanofluid -- Steam production -- Photothermal conversion -- Evaporation -- Direct absorption -- Solar energy; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.08.144
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Novel experiment was performed for nanofluids at a focused solar flux of 280 Suns. Strong surface evaporation was enabled while the bulk fluid was still subcooled. A new integration method was used to calculate photothermal conversion efficiency. Gold nanofluid (0.04 w%) increased photothermal conversion efficiency by 95%. No nanoparticle was entrained with steam even under vigorous boiling. Abstract: Volumetric solar absorption using nanofluids can minimize the thermal loss by trapping the light inside the fluid volume. A strong surface boiling with the underneath fluid still subcooled could have many interesting applications, whose mechanism is however still under strong debate. This work advanced our understanding on volumetric fluid heating by performing a novel experiment under a unique uniform solar heating setup at 280 Suns, with a particular focus on the steam production phenomenon using gold nanofluids. To take the temperature distribution into account, a new integration method was used to calculate the sensible heating contribution. The results showed that the photothermal conversion efficiency was enhanced significantly by gold nanofluids. A three-stage heating scenario was identified and during the first stage, most of the energy was absorbed by the surface fluid, resulting in rapid vapor generation with the underneath fluid still subcooled. The condensed vapor analysis showed no nanoparticle escaping even under vigorous boiling conditions. Such results reveal that nanoparticle enabled volumetric solar heating could have many promising applications including clean water production in arid areas where abundant solar energy is available.