Experimental analysis of a double pass solar air collector using phase change materials integrated with nanoparticle
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
Publisher
Springer
School
School of Engineering
Abstract
Solar air collector (SAC) used to heat air by using solar energy, but as solar radiation is intrinsically time dependent; therefore, latent heat storage medium along with nanoparticles in recent times witnessed a great attention due to their boosted storage capacity. Numerous studies have been done by using thermal storage mediums (PCMs), by changing geometry and orientation of the system for thermal management of solar air collectors. An experimental study has been conducted in the outdoor conditions of Taxila, Pakistan, during September 2022 to investigate the performance of double pass solar air collector comprising of two PCMs, i.e., RT44HC high melting PCM in upper pass because of direct solar radiations falls on upper pass and RT25HC low melting PCM in lower pass because of no direct solar radiations in lower pass, as heat reaches in lower pass-through convection so these PCMs used along with multiwall carbon nanotubes because of better thermal conductivity and mechanical properties nanoparticle having concentration of 0.5 mass% filled in metal aluminum finned tubes. Aluminum metal has better thermal conductivity, light in mass, cheaper than copper metal, and fins structured on its outer periphery is for better heat transfer rate. Three different configurations, i.e., 1st configuration: without PCM, 2nd configuration: using both the PCMs, and 3rd configuration: using nano-PCMs were investigated in the current study. The main aim of adding nanoparticles in base PCM was to increase the heat stored capacity of solar air collector. The overall average thermal efficiency for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd configurations were 57.6%, 67.4%, and 74.2%, respectively. It was found that 3rd configuration which includes nano-PCMs (MWCNT/RT44HC and MWCNT/RT25HC) showed better results in terms of output air temperature, thermal efficiency, and thermal storage capacity. Hence, nano-enhanced PCM-based configuration gives better results in storing solar heat and increased time duration after sunset.
DOI
10.1007/s10973-025-14007-z
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subscription content
Comments
Khan, Z., Jamil, F., Nasir, M. A., Wakeel, A., & Ali, H. M. (2025). Experimental analysis of a double pass solar air collector using phase change materials integrated with nanoparticle. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-025-14007-z