Performance of biosynthesized CuO/Water nanofluid in improving the heat transfer of flat plate solar collector

Abstract

The biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles has become an attractive alternative for the manufacture of nanostructures with many applications. In this work, the use of CuO/Water nanofluids in heat transfer in a flat solar collector system will be evaluated, taking advantage of its large surface-volume ratio, its size and stability of the metal nanoparticles in suspension. CuO nanoparticles were fabricated using camu-camu alcoholic extract as a reducing agent. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were diluted in distilled water at concentrations of 2, 4, 6 and 8% v/v to obtain CuO/water nanofluids. The fabricated nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, UV-vis and DLS, while the formation of the nanofluids was evaluated by FTIR and UV-vis. On the other hand, the thermal parameters of the nanofluids were determined as well as their behavior as heat-carrying fluids. The results show an increase in the capacity to transport heat evidenced by the increase in the temperature gradient of the CuO/water nanofluids compared to water; However, saturation is observed when the content of CuO nanoparticles exceeds 4%.