Analyses of entropy generation and pressure drop for a conventional flat plate solar collector using different types of metal oxide nanofluids

This paper theoretically analyzes entropy generation, heat transfer enhancement capabilities and pressure drop of an absorbing medium with suspended nanoparticles (Al2O3, CuO, SiO2, TiO2 dispersed in water) inside a flat plate solar collector. Steady, laminar axial flow of a nanofluid is considered. These nanofluids considered have different nanoparticles volume fractions and volume flow rates in the range of 1-4% and 1-4 L/min, respectively. Based on the analytical results, the CuO nanofluid could reduce the entropy generation by 4.34% and enhance the heat transfer coefficient by 22.15% theoretically compared to water as an absorbing fluid. It also has a small penalty in the pumping power by 1.58%. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.