Energy and Exergy Analyses of a Flat Plate Solar Collector Using Various Nanofluids: An Analytical Approach

Energy and exergy (EnE) efficiencies are considered the most important parameters to compare performance of various thermal systems. In this paper, an analysis was carried out for EnE a flat plate solar collector (FPSC) using four different kinds nanofluids as flowing mediums, namely, Al2O3/water, MgO/water, TiO2/water, CuO/water, compared with water medium (traditional base fluid). The made nanomaterials’ volume fractions 1–4% water. flow rates were 1 4 L/min. collector?s highest efficiency values obtained CuO/water nanofluid among types mentioned above. CuO nanofluid-operated 38.21% 34.06%, respectively, which is significantly higher than that water-operated collectors. For same rate, mass rate found be 15.95% nanofluid. FPSC can also increased by increasing density reducing specific heat medium.