Revolutionizing Solar Energy: Optimizing Thermal Performance of Flat Plate Solar Collectors with SiC Nanofluids

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJME Journal

Volume 12 Issue 2

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : A. Rafi, S. Muthuvel

10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I2P107

How to Cite?

A. Rafi, S. Muthuvel, "Revolutionizing Solar Energy: Optimizing Thermal Performance of Flat Plate Solar Collectors with SiC Nanofluids," SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 2, pp. 75-87, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I2P107

Abstract:

The inefficiency of heat transfer devices is primarily due to using conventional fluids with poor heat transfer characteristics. Significant enhancements in thermal performance have been observed when these fluids are replaced with Nanofluids (NFs), which exhibit superior heat transfer and thermal conductivity properties. This research evaluates the efficiency of Silicon Carbide (SiC) NFs in a Flat Plate Solar Collector (FPSC) to enhance heat transfer performance. SiC nanoparticles, characterized by a cubic shape and 40–70 nm average size, were synthesized and dispersed in water at varying volume fractions (0.025%, 0.05%, 0.075%, and 0.1%). Their thermophysical properties were analyzed to confirm structural integrity and stability. Thermal conductivity measurements indicated significant improvements, with a maximum increase of 31.3% at 70°C for the highest volume fraction. Viscosity evaluations revealed that dynamic viscosity increased as temperature decreased, highlighting improved flow properties at higher temperatures. Experimental investigations were conducted in Coimbatore, India, following ASHRAE Standard 93-2003, to assess the FPSC’s thermal performance under different conditions. The results demonstrated that adding SiC NFs significantly enhanced collector performance, achieving a peak thermal efficiency of 0.7496 at a 0.1% volume fraction with a mass flow rate of 0.033 kg/s, compared to a maximum efficiency of 0.558 when using water. These findings confirm that integrating SiC NFs in FPSCs leads to notable improvements in thermal efficiency, thereby contributing to advancements in solar thermal technology.

Keywords:

SiC nanofluids, FPSC, Thermal efficiency, Renewable energy, Solar collectors, Heat transfer.

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