Thermal properties on nanofluids based on a high temperature-heat transfer fluid and metallic nanoparticles for concentrating solar energy

Abstract

In this work, nanofluids were prepared using commercial Cu nanoparticles and a commercial Heat Transfer Fluid (eutectic mixture of diphenyl oxide and biphenyl) as the base fluid. This fluid is used in Concentrating Solar Power plants. Different properties such as density, viscosity, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity were characterized. Nanofluids showed enhanced heat transfer efficiency. In detail, the incorporation of Cu nanoparticles led to an increase of the heat capacity up to 14%. Also, thermal conductivity was increased up to 13%. Finally, the performance of the nanofluids prepared increased up to 11% according to the Dittus-Boelter correlation.