Synthesis and Application of Ternary Nanofluid for Photovoltaic-Thermal System: Comparative Analysis of Energy and Exergy Performance with Single and Hybrid Nanofluids

Abstract

The amelioration of photovoltaic (PV) and photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems have garnered increased research interest lately, more so due to the discovery of the thermal property augmentation of nanofluids. The overarching goal of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of mono, hybrid, and ternary hybrid nanofluids utilized as fluids for heat transfer applications and particularly as cooling mediums in PV/T applications. Al2O3, ZnO, Al2O3-ZnO, and Al2O3-ZnO-Fe3O4 nanofluids are synthesized at 1% volume concentration using the two-step method. The zeta potential tests carried out showed that the fluids have high stability. The numerical model developed in this study was validated using real data culled from Cyprus International University. The findings in this study showed that the Al2O3-ZnO-Fe3O4 ternary hybrid nanofluid and ZnO mono nanofluid were more efficient heat transfer fluids for the PV/T system. The optimum relative electrical PV/T efficiency against that of the PV is 8.13% while the electrical and thermal enhancement recorded in this study was 1.79% and 19.06%, respectively, measured for the ternary hybrid nanofluid based PV/T system. This present study shows that despite the limitation of pumping power and pressure drop associated with nanofluid in thermal systems, the close performance evaluation criterion values as compared with water is positive for practical utilization of nanofluid in PV/T systems.

Application of Nanofluids for Machining Processes: A Comprehensive Review

“…Numerous studies have revealed the advantages, characteristics, limitations, and applicability of single-type nanoparticles and the applications of their colloidal mixtures, i.e., nanofluids. The discovery of the synergistic effect of nanoparticles, the part of the nanofluids relating to their improved thermophysical properties, has been further explored in experimental and theoretical studies of the hybrid nanofluids, while the major focus has been on thermal conductivity, viscosity, and specific heat capacity, which are the key thermal properties in the energy systems [ 124 , 125 , 126 ].…”

Shape-Factor Impact on a Mass-Based Hybrid Nanofluid Model for Homann Stagnation-Point Flow in Porous Media

“…In both experimental and simulation studies, the volume fraction, filler shape, and filler size were found to be the most significant factors that affect a composite material’s thermal conductivity. Using water-based Fe 3 O 4 -Al 2 O 3 -ZnO nanofluid, Adun et al [ 34 , 35 , 36 ] investigated the effect of temperature, volume concentration, and mixing ratio on the fluid. Machine learning models were also developed for predicting the fluid’s characteristics.…”

Numerical and experimental investigation for enhancing thermal performance of a concentric heat exchanger using different scenarios

“…The outcomes showed that hybrid nanofluid is advantageous in terms of increasing heat transfer compared to single nanofluids and base fluid. Adun et al (2021) performed an analysis on testing a hybrid collector system employing Al 2 O 3 /water, ZnO/water, Al 2 O 3 –ZnO/water and Al 2 O 3 —ZnO–Fe 3 O 4 /water nanofluids as working liquids. According to the experimental results, Al 2 O 3 –ZnO–Fe 3 O 4 triple nanofluid performed better than other nanofluids.…”