Numerical Analysis Study of a Convective Flow of Nanofluids in a Double-Pass Solar Collector

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical analysis study of the dynamic and thermal performance of a convective flow of water-copper nanofluids in a double-pass flat solar collector. The flow inside the confined space between the glazing and the insulation is governed by the continuity, momentum, and energy equations. The problem addressed is solved via a CFD ANSYS code using the finite volume method to discretize the equations of the mathematical model. The dynamic and thermal fields are obtained for different values of the volume fraction (φ = 0%, φ = 3%, and φ = 8%). These results are compared with other results mentioned in the literature. The results obtained allowed us to define the influence of these different parameters on the convective nanofluid flow in the solar collector. The increase in the volume fraction further promotes heat transfer. The presence of nanoparticles expects a critical part of the convective heat exchange.