The Applications of Nanofluids

in Solar Energy
Reporter: Qin Lianwei

Nanofluids
Suspensions of nanoparticles
in base fluids
:
solidliquid composite materials
consisting of nanometer sized sol
id particles suspended in differen
t 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 basefluids with additives
Controlling interactions using different mixing
methods and thermal-, flow-, catalyst-, and other fieldconditions

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 E

nergy

Schematic of the nanofluid-based

direct absorption solar collector

Schematic of nanofluid-based
concentrated parabolic solar collector

Conclusions
Nanofluids provide a promising technical selection for e
nhancing heat transfer.
Pioneering nanofluids research has inspired physicists, c
hemists, and engineers around the world.
These characteristic features of nanofluids make them su
itable for the next generation of flow and heat-transfer fl
uids.

Thanks for Your attention !