Multi-objective optimization and energy/exergy analysis of a ternary nanofluid based parabolic trough solar collector integrated with kalina cycle

The utilization of solar thermal collectors has increased significantly in the last decade. The heat transfer fluids that is used in the design of these systems has notable effects on their performance. The recent discoveries of hybridized nanofluids, give a promising approach for investigating the performance of parabolic trough collectors (PTC), especially at different design conditions and environmental parameters. This study investigates the thermodynamic performance of a Kalina cycle incorporated with a parabolic trough collector that utilizes ternary nanofluid as a heat transfer fluid. The use of mono, hybrid and ternary nanofluids (THNF) in the parabolic trough collector is examined based on their impact on the efficiency of thermal system. The nanofluids considered are Al2O3, Al2O3-Fe, Al2O3-ZnO, and CuO-MgO-TiO2. The performance of integrated cycle based on the effect of solar irradiation and volume fraction of the nanofluids are studied and compared with conventional fluids namely: thermal VP1 oil, DowThermal oil, and Salt (7NaNO(3), 40NaNO(2), 53KNO(2)). In addition, an optimization study is conducted using genetic algorithm to maximize the net power output of the Kalina cycle and the exergetic efficiency of overall system. The results showed that performance of the system which uses nanofluids as a working fluid was higher than the systems using conventional fluids. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that maximum net power output of the system is recorded when Al2O3, Al2O3-Fe, Al2O3-ZnO, and CuO-MgO-TiO2 nanoparticles are used. The power outputs were evaluated as 59.72 kW, 56.64 kW, 54.54 kW, and 61.21 kW respectively. The optimization study reveals that the optimum exergetic efficiency when Al2O3, Al2O3-Fe, Al2O3-ZnO, and CuO-MgO-TiO2 nanofluids are used can reach up to 21.0%, 17.2%, 10.8%, and 25.1% respectively.

Automated summary

This study investigates the thermodynamic performance of a Kalina cycle incorporated with parabolic trough collectors utilizing ternary nanofluids, showing that using nanofluids as working fluid can enhance system performance. The results reveal that different types of nanofluids have varying effects on system performance, with Al2O3, Al2O3-Fe, Al2O3-ZnO, and CuO-MgO-TiO2 nanoparticles showing promising results. The optimization study demonstrates that the maximum net power output and exergetic efficiency of the system can be significantly improved when using these nanofluids.