The Journal of Science and Engineering Applications (JSEA)

Abstract

Thermosiphon flow of flat plate solar collector (FPC) is one of the economic strategies of renewable 
energy. The aim of this study is to reduce the exergy destruction and improve energy efficiency of FPC 
under climatic conditions of Iraq. The CuO nanoparticles suspended in pure water has been utilized due 
to high thermal properties with 0.1%, 0.5% and 1% volume concentrations. Results show that the outlet 
temperature is increased with increasing solar radiation earlier then decreased after 12 P.M. similar 
behavior of solar radiation. The thermal efficiency is increased as solar radiation increased then decreased 
after 12 P.M. as the solar radiation behavior. It was noticed that the efficiency of using nanofluids has the 
same behavior as using purified water with deviation 15%. The amount of 1.0 vol% of nanofluid with 
pure water as the working fluid reaches the greatest thermal efficiency which is 69.06%. The 1% 
nanofluids concentration has better efficiency. The results show up the nanofluids was better than pure 
water due to their dispersion and thermophysical property predictions.