Photothermal convection of a magnetic nanofluid in a direct absorption solar collector

Nanofluid-based direct absorption of solar heat results in thermal efficiencies superior to conventional solar thermal technology. In addition, convection of nanofluid can be sustained pump-free in the collector. In this article, we study an aqueous magnetic nanofluid capable to establish the photothermal convection in a lab-scale direct absorption solar collector equipped with a solenoid. The nanofluid consisted of 60-nm Fe2O3 particles dispersed in distilled water at concentration in the range 0.5% wt.-2.0% wt. An empirical model of the photothermal convection was developed based on the experiments. The model accounted for magnetic and thermophoretic forces acting within the nanofluid. The nanofluid with up to 2.0% wt. iron oxide nanoparticles obtained the velocity of ∼5 mm/s under the magnetic field of up to 28 mT. This resulted in the maximum thermal efficiency of the collector equal to 65%. [Display omitted] •Nanofluid-based direct absorption solar collector is studied.•Nanofluid is produced with 0.5% and 2.0% of Fe2O3 nanoparticles.•Magnetic field up to 28 mT is applied to nanofluid.•Photothermal convection is established in the fluid with the velocity of 2-5 mm/s.•Maximum thermal efficiency of the collector is 65%.