Nanoparticle Shape Effect on a Nanofluid-Based Parabolic Trough Concentrating Photovoltaic/Thermal System

In this study, a linear parabolic trough concentrating photovoltaic/thermal system has been simulated and the effects of using Al2O3/ethylene glycol-water 50:50 nanofluid with different nanoparticle shapes including platelet, cylindrical, blade and brick shapes from energy and exergy standpoints in the laminar and turbulent regimes have been numerically investigated. The proposed model has been validated using existing experimental results where good agreement was observed. The results indicated that using nanoparticles of cylindrical shape in laminar regime and brick-shaped one in turbulent regime lead to the best system performance compared to others. In addition, applying nanofluid in laminar regime is more effective compared to turbulent regime