Water Desalination Using Solar Thermal Collectors Enhanced by Nanofluids

The absorption efficiency of a solar collector using different types of nanofluids was improved. Experimental work was carried out to investigate the flat-plate and evacuated-tube collectors under outdoor conditions to produce distilled water. A pilot plant was designed and installed. The yield of distilled water at different seawater flow rates and the physical properties of nanofluids were determined. Solar intensity, water mass flow rate, and temperature were measured. The performance of the desalination unit was evaluated in the presence of carbon nanotubes in paraffin wax and ethylene glycol nanofluids. The evaporation efficiency of the flat-plate collector was improved up to 36 % in the presence of ethylene glycol nanofluid at 80-100 degrees C.

Automated summary

The absorption efficiency of a solar collector was improved using different types of nanofluids. Experimental work investigated flat-plate and evacuated-tube collectors under outdoor conditions to produce distilled water. The evaporation efficiency of the flat-plate collector was improved up to 36% with the presence of ethylene glycol nanofluid at 80-100 degrees C.