A new solution for reduced sedimentation flat panel solar thermal collector using nanofluids

The present paper reports the experimental results and the potential performance of the investigation on flat solar thermal collectors using nanofluids as innovative heat transfer fluids for solar energy applications. The straight use of heat-transfer nanofluids in traditional solar flat panel revealed some technical issues, due to the nanoparticles sedimentation. Therefore, sedimentation has been investigated both in standard solar flat panels and modified ones made from transparent tubes. The results of the first tests showed that the main sedimentation parameter is the flow velocity and to better control it a standard flat panel was modified changing the cross-section of the lower and top header of the panel, that have been tapered to keep constant the fluid axial velocity. The modification of the panel shape (patent pending) enabled a negligible particles deposit.