Thermal performance analysis of hybrid-nanofluid based flat plate collector using Grey relational analysis (GRA): An approach for sustainable energy harvesting

The thermal performance and greenhouse gas emission of a flat plat-collector-based solar energy harvesting system (SEHs) were experimentally investigated using Cu-MWCNTs/water hybrid nanofluid. The experiment's output was verified and optimized using Grey relational analysis (GRA). An L27 orthogonal array was used to design the experimental data set with three different levels of flow rate (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 lpm), intensity (400, 600, and 700 W/m2), and inclination angle (25 degrees, 30 degrees, and 35 degrees). GRA ranked flow rate as the most significant factor, followed by intensity and inclination angle. The hybrid nanofluid enhanced the performance of SEHs with 68.7 % maximum instantaneous efficiency at 1.5 lpm flow rate, 400 W/m2 intensity, and 25 degrees inclination angle. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHE) was 21.42 kg per year.

Automated summary

The thermal performance and greenhouse gas emission of a flat plate collector-based solar energy harvesting system (SEHs) were experimentally investigated using Cu-MWCNTs/water hybrid nanofluid. Grey relational analysis (GRA) was used to verify and optimize the experiment's output. An L27 orthogonal array was employed to design the experimental data set with three different levels of flow rate, intensity, and inclination angle. GRA ranked flow rate as the most significant factor, followed by intensity and inclination angle. The use of hybrid nanofluid yielded a maximum instantaneous efficiency of 68.7% at 1.5 lpm flow rate, 400 W/m2 intensity, and 25 degrees inclination angle, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 21.42 kg per year.