In this study, a PVT system equipped with a nanofluid-based collector is investigated from heat transfer and first law of thermodynamic. For this purpose, the effects of adding nanoparticles on heat transfer are investigated using a 2D-transient numerical model validated with experimental measurements. The experiments were performed for various nanofluids (Al2O3/water, TiO2/water and ZnO/water by 0.2wt%, and SiO2/water by 1wt% and 3wt%) on a PV system equipped with a serpentine collector tube to increase its efficiency. The thermophysical properties for the fluid are assumed to be temperature dependent. A good agreement is observed between model calculations and those of the measurements. For this comparison, mass flow rate, solar radiation, and inlet and ambient temperatures were kept constant. The effects of various nanofluids on thermo-physical properties and coolant fluid heat transfer are examined. It is observed that by increasing the mass fraction of nanofluid in the range considered in this study for a laminar flow with constant mass flow rate, the Nusselt was decreased. The heat transfer coefficient of fluid, however, was increased (Al2O3/water is highest and SiO2/water is lowest).

Keywords