Efficacy of organic and inorganic nanofluid on thermal performance of solar water heating system

In present research work, thermal performance of solar water heating system has been evaluated by means of water as base fluid and 0.1% w/w concentrated organic and inorganic nanofluids. Chitosan has been used as organic nanofluid in solar water heating system owing to superior thermal properties, whereas Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) has been used as an inorganic nanofluid. In the month of April, experiments were performed at the location (20.61° N, 72.91° E) for three consecutive days for the each type of fluid. The daily average outlet fluid temperature of 85.0 ​°C, 82.9 ​°C and 68.6 ​°C for the Chitosan, Al2O3 and water as working fluid in solar water heating system was obtained. The collector efficiency factor of 0.727, 0.670 and 0.542 was achieved for the Chitosan, Al2O3 and water. The heat removal factor of 0.627, 0.588 and 0.484 was achieved for the Chitosan, Al2O3 and water. The experimental efficiency of 55.86%, 52.72% and 41.81% was obtained for Chitosan, Al2O3 and water. Compared to water as working fluid, 33.60% and 26.10% higher experimental efficiency was obtained for Chitosan and Al2O3 nanofluid. The recorded results were compared with the theoretical values calculated using ASHRAE standard 93–2003