The Applications of Nanofluids

in Solar Energy

Reporter: Qin Lianwei

 Nanofluids
:
Suspensions of nanoparticles in base fluids

 solid–liquid composite materials

 consisting of nanometer sized
solid particles suspended in
different base fluids
 Properties of Nanofluids

Advanced flow and heat transfer fluids

• Enhancing functions and properties by combining and
controlling interactions
• Combining different nanoparticles in different base-
fluids with additives
• Controlling interactions using different “mixing”
methods and thermal-, flow-, catalyst-, and other field-
conditions
 Preparation of nanofluids
 The single-step method
The single step simultaneously makes and disperses the nanoparticles
directly into a base fluid.
Nanoparticles agglomeration is minimized.
Only suitable for low vapor pressure fluid.
 The two-step method (widely used)
Nanoparticles was first produced and dispersed into the base fluids.
Good for oxides nanoparticles.
Not suitable for metallic nanoparticles.
 Conventional solid-liquid suspensions
compared to nanofluids

Criteria Conventional Nanofluids

Stability Settle Stable

Surface/volume ratio Low High

Thermal Conductivity Low High

Clogging High Low

Pumping Power Large Small

 Four Characteristic Features of
Nanofluids
Nanofluids have an unprecedented combination of four characteristic
features desired in energy systems:
– Increased thermal conductivity (TC)
at low nanoparticle concentrations
– Strong temperature-dependent TC
– Non-linear increase in TC with nanoparticle concentration
– Increase in boiling critical heat flux (CHF)
Factors influencing thermal conductivity of
nanofluids:
Particle material Particle Size Base fluid material

Thermal Conductivity

Temperature pH Particle volume

concentration
 TEM Characteristics of Copper
Nanofluids
• By the single-step method
• very small copper particles
(about 10 nm)
• Very little agglomeration and
sedimentation
Bright-field TEM micrograph of Cu
nanoparticles produced by direct
evaporation into ethylene glycol
 Applications of Nanofluids in Solar
Energy

Schematic of the nanofluid-based Schematic of nanofluid-based

direct absorption solar collector concentrated parabolic solar collector
 Conclusions

 Nanofluids provide a promising technical selection for

enhancing heat transfer.
 Pioneering nanofluids research has inspired physicists,
chemists, and engineers around the world.
 These characteristic features of nanofluids make them
suitable for the next generation of flow and heat-transfer
fluids.
Thanks for Your attention !