Performance Enhancement of Photovoltaic-Thermal Panel Using Hybrid Nanofluids

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohammad Mazidi Sharfabadi 1
Sherin Talib 2
Nikoo Faraji 3
seyed mohammad sadegh mousavi shad 4
1 Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI)
2 Master of Mechanical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Unit, Tehran, Iran
3 Master of Nano Chemistry, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
4 Master of Science in Energy Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Unit, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/stme.2025.487116.1088
Abstract
In this study, hybrid nanofluids have been used to enhance the performance of a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) panel. Hybrid nanofluids consist of a combination of nanoparticles and a base fluid, offering superior thermal and conductive properties compared to conventional base fluids. In this research, different nanoparticles, such as titanium oxide and aluminum oxide, were dispersed in water as the base fluid at varying weight fractions of 0%, 3%, and 6%, and their effects on heat transfer and panel efficiency were investigated. The simulation results indicate that adding titanium oxide and aluminum oxide nanoparticles at a weight fraction of 3% each resulted in thermal and electrical efficiencies of 32.92% and 14.68%, respectively. When the weight fraction was adjusted to 6% for aluminum oxide and 0% for titanium oxide, the thermal and electrical efficiencies were 32.95% and 14.68%, respectively, showing negligible variation compared to the base fluid without nanoparticles. Additionally, increasing the volume fraction of one of the nanoparticles did not lead to significant changes in the results, only slightly improving system efficiency. This study can assist designers and engineers in developing and optimizing photovoltaic-thermal panel systems, contributing to the efficient utilization of solar energy resources.
Keywords
photovoltaic-Thermal panel
solar energy
titanium oxide
aluminum oxide
heat transfer
Bulk thermal conductivity
Simulation
Subjects
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Science and Technology in Mechanical Engineering
Volume 3, Issue 2 - Serial Number 5
January 2025
Pages 47-67

  • Receive Date 04 November 2024
  • Revise Date 19 January 2025
  • Accept Date 20 January 2025
  • First Publish Date 20 January 2025
  • Publish Date 20 January 2025