Optimization and Performance Evaluation of Photovoltaic Thermal System with Varying Nanofluids and Environmental Parameters by Taguchi Technique
In this study, the performance of a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system with a rectangular absorber design using water-based nanofluids such as MWCNT/w, CeO2/w, and TiN/w with a volume fraction of nanoparticles at 4% as a coolant is investigated. The mass flow rates varied from 0.025, 0.050 and 0.075 kg/s under meteorological conditions categorized as hot, cooled, and mixed in three different cities of India (Bengaluru, Delhi, and Srinagar). A numerical model was established to evaluate the performance of the PVT system by employing a heat balance equation for various components of the PVT system. Additionally, Taguchi assessment and ANOVA analysis were carried out to evaluate the effect of meteorological parameters and determine the optimum conditions. The highest daily electrical effectiveness and heat gain of the PVT system for the cities of Bengaluru, Delhi, and Srinagar were obtained with the CeO2/w nanofluid at a mass flow rate of 0.075 kg/s, are 15.13%, 15.02%, and 16.14% and 282.5 Wh, 349.55 Wh, and 219.23 Wh, respectively, compared to the other nanofluids. Another optimal value of the effecting variable is obtained in CeO2 nanofluid for electrical efficiency and heat gain of the PVT system where a mass flow rate, sun radiation, ambient temperature and wind velocity are 0.050 kg/s, 800 W/m2, 32 °C, and 1.4 m/s, and 0.075 kg/s, 800 W/m2, 22 °C, and 1.6 m/s, respectively and sun radiation was the most significant parameter for electrical efficiency and heat gain, with significant values of 81.66% and 92.35%, respectively.
