15. Thermal Efficiency Enhancement of Solar Parabolic Trough Collector Using Nanofluids: A Recent Review

Recent studies on the potential of the nanofluids on the performance enhancement of the parabolic trough collectors seem to be pointing toward development of the next generation of the solar collectors having great potential to be used for co-generation with integrated solar thermal systems. To achieve it, most researchers are investigating the superior performance of non-conventional heat transfer fluids, such as the nanofluids. The present paper is an effort to review recent research efforts on the performance of parabolic trough collectors using nanofluids. Studies on the various properties of nanofluids seem to be suggesting the positive impact of these fluids in increasing the heat transfer characteristics. The concurrent studies carried out to use nanofluids in coupled solar thermal systems are likely to enhance the process of heat energy collection from the sun in a highly concentrating trough type collector. The objective of the current study is to report recent progress on thermal efficiency enhancement in the parabolic solar trough collector using nanofluids. Experimental and numerical simulation results have been covered by referring to recent research papers. This work will act as a valuable tool to future researchers.