Nanofluids for Direct-Absorption Solar Collectors—DASCs: A Review on Recent Progress and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Owing to their superior optical and thermal properties over conventional fluids, nanofluids represent an innovative approach for use as working fluids in direct-absorption solar collectors for efficient solar-to-thermal energy conversion. The application of nanofluids in direct-absorption solar collectors demands high-performance solar thermal nanofluids that exhibit exceptional physical and chemical stability over long periods and under a variety of operating, fluid dynamics, and temperature conditions. In this review, we discuss recent developments in the field of nanofluids utilized in direct-absorption solar collectors in terms of their preparation techniques, optical behaviours, solar thermal energy conversion performance, as well as their physical and thermal stability, along with the experimental setups and calculation approaches used. We also highlight the challenges associated with the practical implementation of nanofluid-based direct-absorption solar collectors and offer suggestions and an outlook for the future.

Economic and Exergy Analysis of TiO2 + SiO2 Ethylene-Glycol-Based Hybrid Nanofluid in Plate Heat Exchange System of Solar Installation

“…Scientists around the world conduct intensive research [10], as well as analytical and numerical work [11,12], to determine the effectiveness of using nanofluids with heat exchangers in closed-loop solar systems [3,13] and outside of them [14,15]. Solar collectors are relatively simple devices in construction, using the energy of solar radiation and transforming it into thermal energy (flat-plate collectors (FPCs), evacuated tube solar collectors (ETSCs), parabolic trough solar collectors (PTSCs), compound parabolic collectors (CPCs), and linear Fresnel reflectors (LFRs)) or electrical energy (photovoltaic thermal collectors (PVTs) [16]).…”

“…Moghaieb H.S. et al [15] drew attention to highly efficient direct-absorption solar collector installations based on nanofluids. Nanofluids as working fluids have been proven to represent an innovative approach to direct-absorption solar collectors for the efficient conversion of solar and thermal energy [25].…”

“…The necessity of developing a new and innovative pumping device has been suggested [23]. Other challenges, recommendations, or future perspectives are also presented in some of the recent publications of Mukherie et al [5] and Moghaieb et al [15].…”

The Role of Nanofluids in Renewable Energy Engineering

“…The primary emphasis of Moghaieb et al [3] was on the advancements of nanofluids for use in direct-absorption solar collectors (DASCs). Their research primarily examined the optical properties, solar thermal conversion efficiency, production methods, and thermal and physical stability of these nanofluids.…”