380-25

Nanofluids: A Promising Heat Transfer Fluid for Solar Collectors

Tukhtamurod Juraev, Dilshod Jalilov, Akbar Halimov, Jasurjon Akhatov

Physical-technical institute, Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Chingiz Aytmatov, 2B, 100084, Tashkent, (Uzbekistan)

2025-07-25

This study investigates how MWCNT-based nanofluids enhance the performance of direct absorption solar collectors (DASC) compared to traditional water-based systems. The findings reveal that MWCNT nanofluids keep a higher temperature range of 296-302 K, better than water 295-300 K, and achieve a specific heat gain of up to 800 W/m², which is significantly higher than water’s peak of less than 50 W/m². The mathematical model used in this research, when checked against real experimental data, showed a very low error rate (RMSE of 0.61K) and a very high accuracy (R² of 0.99995). From an economic perspective, the cost of energy (LCOE) for systems using nanofluids dropped from 0.016 USD/kWh to 0.004 USD/kWh with higher interest rates, from 4% to 18%. Additionally, the environmental analysis showed a considerable decrease in CO2 emissions for systems using electricity compared to those using gas. These results suggest that MWCNT nanofluids significantly improve both the efficiency and environmental impact of solar thermal systems.

Key words: Direct absorption solar collector (DASC), nanofluid, MWCNT, thermal performance.

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