Analyses of exergy efficiency and pumping power for a conventional flat plate solar collector using SWCNTs based nanofluid

This paper theoretically analyses entropy generation, heat transfer enhancement capabilities and pressure drop for a flat-plate solar collector operated with single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) based nanofluids as an absorbing medium. Specific heat(Cp) ofthe nanofluid was measured using a PerkinElmer DSC 4000, and a density meter was used to measure the density ofthe nanofluid. Second law based exergy analysis was carried outto evaluate the efficiency ofthe flat plate collector. Itis observed thatthe SWCNTs nanofluid reduced the entropy generation by 4.34% and enhance the heat transfer coefficient by 15.33% theoretically compared to water as an absorbing fluid. Pumping power penalty of nanofluid operated solar collector found to be 1.20% higher than the water as a working fluid.