article · Case Studies in Thermal Engineering
This computational study assesses the performance of carbon nanotube hybrid nanofluids in solar thermal energy systems designed for solar-powered ships. Focusing on heat transfer along cylindrical surfaces, the research evaluates a working fluid composed of single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes suspended in engine oil. The governing equations are resolved using the Galerkin weighted residual method to examine fluid flow, thermal behaviour, and entropy generation under the Cattaneo-Christov heat flux model. Key physical factors incorporated into the numerical simulations include solar thermal radiation, surface stretching, slip velocity, and porous media. The resulting analysis tracks changes in system velocity and energy equations, recording hybrid nanofluid efficiencies between 2.4% and 2.7%. These findings provide baseline computational data to assist in modelling and refining thermal management components within marine transport systems that rely on solar power.
Enhancing heat transfer efficiency is critical for developing viable clean energy solutions for the maritime sector. Solar-powered vessels require compact, high-performing thermal systems to capture and utilise energy effectively. Understanding how advanced carbon nanotube fluids behave in complex thermal environments helps engineers identify practical avenues for designing more efficient, low-emission transport technologies.
This work is at an early computational stage, offering theoretical insights rather than physical prototype testing. The models could inform marine engineers and technology developers designing solar thermal systems and specialised cooling loops for sustainable vessels. Moving toward commercial application would require experimental validation, physical fluid stability testing, and integration assessments with real-world marine power systems.
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This study examines the potential of using nanofluids in solar thermal energy systems. Nanofluids are known to exhibit high convection heat transfer coefficients, low specific heat, and density, making them ideal for improving the performance of solar thermal energy systems. However, this computational study investigates the application of Cattaneo-Christov heat flux on cylindrical surfaces using carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid nanofluids, for use in a solar-powered ship. The work utilizes numerical simulations to analyze the heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of the hybrid nanofluids. The research examines the use of single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT and MWCNT) in engine oil (EO) as the working fluid. The Galerkin weighted residual method (GWRM) is utilized to solve the ordinary differential equations (ODEs) governing the system. The impact of various parameters, such as Cattaneo-Christov heat flux, solar thermal radiation, nonlinear stretching surface, slippery velocity, and porous media on the velocity equation, energy equation, and entropy generation are investigated and elaborated through detailed plots. The findings show that the MWCNT-SWCNT/EO hybrid nanofluid (HNF) exhibits maximum efficiency of around 2.4%, while the minimum efficiency is at 2.7%. This research provides valuable insights into the design and optimization of solar thermal systems for sustainable transportation.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.csite.2023.102959
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