Journal of Harbin Institute of Technology ( New Series)
Received 2023-05-10.
Corresponding author. Barhm Mohamad, Ph.D. , Lecturer. E-mail: barhm.mohamad@ epu.edu.iq
Citation: Firas F. Qader, Falah Z. Mohammed, Barhm Mohamad. Thermodynamic analysis and optimization of flat plate solar
collector using TiO
2
/ water nanofluid. Journal of Harbin Institute of Technology ( New Series ) . DOI:10. 11916 / j. issn. 1005 - 9113.
2023050
Thermodynamic Analysis and Optimization of Flat Plate Solar
Collector Using TiO
2
/ Water Nanofluid
Firas F. Qader
1
, Falah Z. Mohammed
2
and Barhm Mohamad
3∗
( 1. Technical Engineering College⁃Kirkuk, Northern Technical University, Kirkuk 36001, Iraq;
2. Medical Device Technology Engineering, AL-Qalam University College, Kirkuk 36001, Iraq;
3.Department of Petroleum Technology, Koya Technical Institute, Erbil Polytechnic University, Erbil 44001, Iraq)
Abstract: To research solar energy's efficiency and environmental benefits, the thermal efficiency, exergy,
and entropy of solar collectors were calculated. The experiment involved two glass⁃topped collectors, fluid
transfer tubes, and aluminum heat⁃absorbing plates. Glass wool insulation minimized heat loss. A 0. 5%
TiO
2
/ Water nanofluid was created using a mechanical and ultrasonic stirrer. Results showed that solar
radiation increased thermal efficiency until midday, reaching 48. 48% for water and 51. 23% for the nanofluid.
With increasing mass flow rates from 0. 0045 kg / s to 0. 02 kg / s, thermal efficiency improved from 16. 26% to
47.37% for water and from 20. 65% to 48. 76% for the nanofluid. Filtered water provided 380 W and 395 W
of energy in March and April, while the nanofluid increased it to 395 W and 415 W during these months.
Mass flow generated energy, and the Reynolds number raised entropy. The noon exergy efficiency for
nanofluids was 50%-55%, compared to 30% for water. At noon, the broken exergy measured 877. 53 W for
the nanofluid and 880. 12 W for water. In Kirkuk, Iraq, the 0. 5% TiO
2
/ Water nanofluid outperformed water
in solar collectors.
Keywords: energy;exergy;entropy generation; nanofluid; flat plate solar collector
CLC number: TK51 Document code: A Article ID: 1005⁃ 9113(2023)00⁃ 0000⁃ 14
0 Introduction
This study focused on improving the performance
of a flat solar collector by using nanofluid. In recent
literature, the researchers used a MWCNT⁃H
2
O
nanofluid with a diameter of 10-30 nm and a weight
concentration of 0. 2% -0. 4% to increase the
collectors efficiency by 83%. In this study, the
thermal efficiency of the collector is linearly related to
nanoparticle mass flow rate and volumetric
concentration. By using a nano⁃diamond fluid with a
concentration of 1% and a percentage of 69. 8%
compared to water, the flat solar collectors efficiency
was maximized. The study also measured the viscosity
of the nanofluid and water using the Brookfield Digital
Viscometer DV⁃II + Pro. The experiments were
conducted for two months in Kirkuks climate, and
the margin of error was found. Overall, the results
suggest that using nanofluid can significantly improve
the efficiency of flat solar collectors. To improve the
performance of a 2⁃square⁃meter⁃squared flat solar
collector, Yousefi and Veisy
[1]
used a MWCNT - m
2
nanofluid with a diameter of 10 - 30 nm, a weight
concentration of 0. 2% -0. 4%, and a mass flow rate of
0. 0167-0. 05 kg / s. The flat solar collectors efficiency
rose 83% by increasing mass flow rate and nanofluid
concentration. An experimental research was carried
out on a 0. 34 m
2
flat solar collector using CNT
nanofluid with a diameter of 1 nm and weight
concentrations of 0. 6%,0. 5%, and 0. 4%
[ 2]
. At
0. 5%, efficiency increased by 39%. An experimental
evaluation of thermal performance in a flat solar
collector of 1 m
2
area, Zamzamian et al.
[ 3]
employed
Cu nanofluids combined with ethanol alcohol with a
diameter of 10 nm, volumetric concentrations of
· 1 ·