Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Energy Engineering

Improvement on the Performance of Parabolic

Trough Collector Using Mono and Hybrid
Nanofluids

Thesis booklet

Written by: Otabeh Ibrahim Al-Oran, SH PhD student

Supervisor: Dr. Ferenc Lezsovits, Associate Professor

Budapest, 2022

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1 Introduction
High degradation of fossil fuel levels has become an issue in the new era because of the high
increase in demand. The increasing demand, ascending electricity cost, and environmental issues
of the pollutant emissions produced from fuel combustion processes forced the government and
researchers to find efficient ways to replace fossil energy with renewable and clean energy,
particularly in the Middle East countries like Jordan. Many reasons support the use of solar
energy as a source of energy more than other renewable sources because of its availability, ease
of transportation for energy production, and its ability to be integrated with other applications.
Therefore, several kinds of research have been carried out on solar energy aiming to investigate
its ability to produce adequate energy from the solar radiation intensity and its economic effects.
Concentrated solar power (CSP), as a part of solar applications, improves solar energy utilization
and reaches a high energy output. Such applications include linear Fresnel lenses, parabolic
trough collectors (PTCs), and solar towers. However, PTCs offer the ability to produce
temperatures that have superior efficiency as well as a limited cost when compared with other
CSP applications. On this basis, several studies related to PTCs have aimed to investigate the
geometry of the designs, optical efficiency, and methods to improve heat transfer. Recently,
enhancements in PTCs have been reached using new modified thermal fluids called nanofluids.
Those nanofluids have been obtained by adding nanoparticles with small diameters (10 nm–100
nm) to base fluid types to enhance their thermal properties.

This research investigates various important aspects and motivations related to the modelling and
experimental testing of parabolic collectors. These aspects can be summarized as follows:

 Radiation intensity in different locations and seasons (Budapest and Jordan). On the one hand,
Jordan is located in the Middle East and enjoys high levels of Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI),
especially in the southern and eastern parts. On the other hand, Budapest is located in the
countries of Central Europe, where coal and natural gas are the main sources of energy
production. Now, following joining the European Union (EU) in 2004, Hungary needs to meet
the EU's ambition to increase its share of renewable energy resources and reduce CO2 emissions
[1].
 Nanofluids types for various base fluids and nanoparticles, including mono or hybrid nanofluids
side by side with evaluating the optimum values and comparing the results with various base
fluid types.
 Various concentrations of diluted and strengthened concentrations.
 Thermal properties (thermal conductivity and viscosity) of diluted and strengthened
concentrations.
 Heat transfer performance (Nusselt number and convective heat transfer coefficient).
 Energy and exergy efficiencies.
 Hybrid nanofluid mixing ratios influence.
The above aspects inspired and motivated me to study the effect of using nanofluids in order to
improve the thermal efficiency of the parabolic collector and to improve the use of solar energy to
replace fossil fuels. The effect of using nanofluids has been studied using the modelling and
experimental approaches. In which part of the test preparation nanofluid was carried out at the Solar
Laboratory of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Budapest. While due to the Covid19
pandemic situation, the design and manufacture of the PTC along with the tests were carried out at
the University of Jordan in Amman-Jordan.

1
.

2 Research motivations
After reviewing the current state of utilizing various nanofluids and their effect on the performance of
the parabolic trough collector, and publishing a scientific paper on the latest studies focusing on
nanofluid use as an enhancement method in solar applications and a review chapter regarding utilizing
hybrid nanofluid in various solar collectors [2, 3]. The following research gaps were identified:
1- Despite there has been a steady increase in the use of nanofluids method to raise the thermal
efficiency in solar applications and the effect of their good results in comparison with the other
enhancement categories, there is still a clear lack of study of the effect of this method on the
parabolic trough collector, particularly concerning the practical aspect of using nanoparticles
including mono or hybrid ones. Figure 1-A depicts the annual increase of the use of nanofluid
as an enhancement method of the whole solar applications, using the Scopus database between
2007 and 2020. Figure 1-B represents the annual publications that showed the enhancement
methods utilized to evaluate the performance of the PTC from 2014 to 2019 using the Scopus
database. [P1].

Figure 1. Annual number of publications in solar applications, particularly PTC using “Scopus
database”.

2- According to the thermal performance of the parabolic trough collector under different weather
conditions of Budapest and Amman, whether from the practical or theoretical researches, no
detailed research has been conducted.
3- Preparing mono and hybrid nanofluids that have high stability and examining their effect on
the thermal performance of PTC needs more attention in future experimental works. It is
especially concerning the measurement of thermal properties resulting from the addition of
nanoparticles experimentally.
4- Most of the research studies focused on the use of certain types of nanoparticles rather than
others. Although much of them are still used because they showed a good improvement in the
solar applications but, to date, they have not been tested in the PTC. In addition, the
nanoparticles have never been tested theoretically or experimentally in different sizes and
concentrations with various base fluids.
5- There are a few studies for applying hybrid nanofluid as a new promising thermal fluid in the
PTC, however, there is no detailed compared study of its effect compared to mono nanofluid
and base fluid. Despite the significant effect of using hybrid nanofluid to achieve a positive

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 hydrodynamic effect and the reasonable cost of utilizing mixtures of cheap and expensive
nanoparticles, its use, especially in the PTC, needs further studies.
6- Even at this moment, the process of preparing nanomaterials and calculating thermal properties
is an important point for good improvement. Up to date, preparing stable mono and hybrid
nanofluids is considered a critical point that has high importance in examining their thermal
properties and their effect on PTC thermal performance; this field still needs more attention in
future experimental works. Especially with regard to dispersed substances and their effects.

3 Research objectives
The aims of the current research are as follows:
- To build up a model that potentially improves the performance using several nanofluids within
the Parabolic trough collectors. In addition, to compare the obtained results with various base
fluid types and with the results available in the literature for validation purposes.

- To build up a model that can simulate the daily change in the thermal efficiency with the solar
radiation changes regardless of location and time per year, in addition to evaluate the thermal
efficiency results of the PTC under a constant radiation value.

- To build up a model that has the potential to simulate the thermal performance of the PTC
receiver tube under constant and variable heat flux distribution, where the results of the Nusselt
number and convective heat transfer coefficient can be obtained under variable nanofluid types
and concentrations for various Reynolds numbers.

- To construct a parabolic trough collector experimental test rig in order to investigate the
thermal efficiency of the PTC for water and various nanofluid types under Amman's weather
conditions. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we have changed our plans to conduct the
experimental results in Amman rather than Budapest.

- To experimentally determine the thermal conductivity and viscosity of numerous mono and
hybrid nanofluids at various temperatures and volume concentrations. In addition to check the
new proposed nanofluid's stability in various ways and proposing new correlations to cover
these thermal conductivity and viscosity properties under the temperatures and volume
concentrations limitations.

- To compare the MATLAB symbolic tool model results of different base fluids with various
mono and hybrid nanoparticles with well-known experimental and numerical studies in the
literature to see the reliability of thermal efficiency of the PTC and the outlet temperatures.

- To validate the Solidworks model with the experimental results of mono nanofluid of cerium
oxide and hybrid nanofluid of MWCNTs and Y2O3 with Gum Arabic (GA) surfactant under the
weather conditions of Amman.

4 Methodology and key findings

4.1 Radiation Intensity
Solar radiation intensity varies due to daily and seasonal changes in the sun's position and the variation
in sky clearness from one location to another, which is considered an important factor that affects the
deployment of solar energy applications. This study aims to develop statistical models, mainly seven
regression models and one parametric model based on the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration
and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) model to estimate the hourly diffuse radiation in Budapest
as a case study using measured hourly global and diffuse radiation between 2011 and 2018. The main

3
data gathered was taken from the Energy department weather station, as presented in Figure 2. The
linear model was evaluated on a dataset outside the test data range where the linear model was capable
of predicting the diffuse radiation with much better R2= 93% [4] [P2]. In the other research, the radiation
intensity of Budapest was investigated using the Hottel model under an altitude of 0.1 km for various
weather days (the 21st of June and the 21st of September) of Budapest city [5]. The maximum radiation
intensity at midday time of the 21st of June and recorded at 880 W/m2. Moreover, the maximum ambient
temperature for the same day was recorded at 30.8 °C. While the maximum radiation intensity and
ambient temperature at midday time of the 21st of September recorded values are 260 W/m2 and 5.5 °C,
respectively [P3]. Furthermore, another case study was conducted on the 15th of July under the weather
condition of Jordan to evaluate the thermal performance of the PTC. The results have been evaluated
using the ASHRAE model and showed maximum radiation of 998.7 W/m 2 at midday [6] [P4].
Experimentally, the measured data of direct irradiance that affected the PTCs was measured using the
Solar Survey 200R device to obtain the thermal efficiency results of distilled water and various mono
and hybrid nanofluids. [P5, P9].

Figure 2. The schematic diagram of the development procedure and the correlations and estimated diffuse radiation in
Budapest city using linear model [P2]

4.2 Nanofluids preparation

The development of nanofluids is a crucial step, particularly when studying the stability and
thermophysical properties of mono and hybrid nanofluids. This step can be attributed to the high aspect
ratio and the strong van der Walls force between the nanoparticles themselves and the base fluid. All of
those issues lead to difficulty in achieving highly stable nanofluids, particularly under high
concentrations [7, 8]. Thus, great effort should be exerted into preparing the suggested hybrid nanofluid
to ensure a homogenous suspension to avoid the sedimentation and aggregation that might occur during
the dispersing of nanoparticles inside the traditional fluids. Accordingly, new proposed mono and

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hybrid nanofluids were prepared using a two-step method, whether with or without surfactant, where
this method is based on using an ultrasonication probe homogenizer to prevent sedimentation. In order
to check the stability, zeta potential values and naked-eye observations of the proposed hybrid nanofluid
were adopted to reach this target for various concentrations. In this thesis, a new modified hybrid
nanofluid of MWCNT and Y2O3 was prepared in distilled water under a weight ratio (20:80) for five-
volume concentrations (0.01, 0.04,0.07, 0.1, and 0.2%) with GA using the two-step method. The
stability results showed an average zeta potential of -20.8mv for various tested nanofluid concentrations
and no sedimentation for seven days using the naked eye detection [P6]. Figure 3 depicts the scanning
electron microscope of nanoparticles (SEM), preparation and stability testing of MWCNT and Y2O3
hybrid nanofluid. In the same research area, mono nanofluids of CeO2, Al2O3, and their hybrid nanofluid
under fraction concentrations 50:50 were inserted in ionized water without surfactant. The stability
results showed zeta potential equals -31.5mv for the highest concentration of 0.5% and no sedimentation
for two days using the naked eye detection [9].

Figure 3. Schematic description of the preparation steps and stability check of nanofluids [P6].

4.3 Thermal properties

For the thermal properties, four models widely used in the literature have been carefully selected to
determine the combined thermo-physical properties of our proposed nanofluids on the theoretical sides.
Equation (1) employs the mixing theory to express the density of the nanofluid (𝜌 ) as a function of
the density of the base fluid and nanoparticles, and the volumetric nanoparticle concentrations (𝜑). The
formula of nanofluid’s specific heat capacity is given in equation (2). It is practised here due to its
precision over a wide range of volume concentrations [10]. The renovated Maxwell model is used to
determine the thermal conductivity of the nanofluid, as shown in Equation (3) [11]. Finally, the
nanofluid's dynamic viscosity was calculated using the Brinkman model, as shown in Equation (4) [12].
[13-15]. [P7,P8].

𝜌 = (1 − 𝜑) 𝜌 +𝜑𝜌 (1)
1
𝐶 , = [(1 − 𝜑)𝜌 𝐶 , + 𝜑𝜌 𝐶 , ] (2)
𝜌
𝑘 + 2𝑘 + 2(𝑘 − 𝑘 )(1 − 𝛽) 𝜑
𝑘 =𝑘 [ ] (3)
𝑘 + 2𝑘 − (𝑘 − 𝑘 )(1 − 𝛽) 𝜑
1
𝜇 =𝜇 . (4)
(1 − 𝜑) .

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Experimentally:
The thermal conductivity and viscosity of the MWCNT and Y2O3 combination, which has a 20:80
weight ratio based-distilled water, were experimentally investigated. The proposed hybrid nanofluid
was prepared using a two-step method with Gum Arabic as a surfactant that has half total volume
concentrations of (0.01- 0.2% Vol.) for the temperature ranges of (20-60ºC). [P6].
In this experimental work, the transient hot wire liquid thermal conductivity meter (THERMTEST
THW-L2) device, which has several advantages, such as the speed of obtaining results of less than 2s,
ease of use, and low heat loss, was used to measure the thermal conductivity values directly for the
mentioned HNF concentrations and distilled water. In addition, this device has an accuracy better than
5%, and repeatability is better than 2% for temperatures up to 100 °C side by side with the small sample
volume of 15 ml needed for every test. All the measured results were repeated three times, and the
average value was taken for each concentration and temperature. The results demonstrated that the
thermal conductivity coefficient increases by increasing both temperature and concentration, especially
at high concentrations and high temperatures. The maximum enhancement that was observed reaches
13% at a volume concentration of 0.2% and temperature of 60ºC.
The viscosity was measured experimentally through Viscosity Fungilab Viscometer TSML 210045,
which has a level of accuracy of up to ±1%. The measurements of viscosity were conducted under the
same concentrations and temperatures as the thermal conductivity measurements. Mainly the increased
slip resistance between fluid layers caused by the inclusion of nanoparticles is the main reason for
increased viscosity with increasing nanoparticle concentrations. A relative viscosity was obtained for
various temperatures and concentrations, where the maximum results reached 8.85 at a concentration
equal to 0.2%. Finally, the correlations for the hybrid nanofluid thermal conductivity ratio and relative
viscosity were suggested under the mentioned limitations. The calculated experimental results
demonstrated good accuracy with the proposed correlations, with R2= 0.99 for the thermal conductivity
ratio and R2=0.95 for the relative viscosity. [P6].
In the same research area, the thermal conductivity of mono nanoparticles of Al2O3 and CeO2 and their
hybrid combination, which has a 50:50 weight ratio based ionized water, were experimentally
investigated. The proposed mono and hybrid nanofluids were prepared using a two-step method without
surfactant for the total volume concentrations of (0.01- 0.5% Vol.) and temperature ranges of (20-50ºC).
In this experimental work, the thermal conductivity tester model SKZ1061C TPS, which is recognized
as the hot-disk thermal constants analyzer, has the shape of a double spiral. It is produced of 20 μm
thick nickel foil insulated on both sides with 25 μm thick Kapton, and it has a diameter of 6.4 mm and
consists of 16 circular sources. Its resistance is about 13 Ω, and the temperature coefficient of resistance
is 0.005 K−1. The results showed that the highest percentage of thermal conductivity improvement for
Al2O3, CeO2, and their hybrid nanofluids was (5.3 %, 3.3 %, and 8.8 %), respectively, at volume
concentration (0.5 % Vol.) and temperature (50 °C) when compared to the base fluid [9]. Figure 4
demonstrates the main devices used to measure thermal conductivity and viscosity.

6
 Figure 4. Thermal conductivity and viscosity devices [P6]

4.4 Thermal performance

There is a large interest in evaluating the thermal performance of the PTC, particularly in heat flux
conditions and the assumption of radiation distribution. The PTC capability to work and produce
variable ranges of temperatures that can be utilized in diverse applications is one of the most attractive
ways to improve this type. So recently, the frequently reported positive effects of mixing nanoparticles
in various base fluids as a new passive enhancement techniques pushed the researcher to build a new
model that is capable of mimicking the thermal performance of the PTC under different conditions and
using different nanoparticles, besides comparing the results with traditional fluids. Thus, the great
accuracy of using a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) tool, together with the ability to describe
precise components such as fluid flow and heat flux profiles, allows this program to be used to
characterize the nanofluid effect on thermal performance in a wide range of situations. So numerically,
the thermal performance of utilizing new modified hybrid nanoparticles combination of
MWCNT&CeO2 with MOL-68 oil in the receiver tube of PTC was simulated under constant heat flux
conditions for various concentrations and Reynold numbers. The turbulent model’s analysis is carried
out based on k-ε Re-Normalisation Group (RNG) and employed to find Nusselt number and heat
transfer coefficients. The problem statement of this work is based on solving the governing equations
(momentum, energy, and continuity) in three-dimensional, as shown in the following equations and
demonstrated in Figure 5. The results trend of dimensionless Nusselt number agrees with all
correlations reported in the literature. Besides, it is strongly agreed with the Nu values obtained with
Notter and Ross correlation compared to other correlations under average errors equal to 6.5%, which
is acceptable in this application, as shown in Figure 6. [P8].
Continuity equation:

∇. 𝜌 𝑉 = 0, (5)

where the V describes velocity in (R, θ, Z).

Momentum equation:

∇. 𝜌 𝑉𝑉 = + ∇. 𝜇 ∇𝑉 + 𝑆 , (6)

where xi =(R, θ, Z) for spatial direction, while Si presents the remaining viscose terms and its derived
in three directions as follows:

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 𝑆 =𝜌 𝑉 −𝜇 + , (7)

𝑆 = −𝜌 𝑉 +𝜇 + , (8)

𝑆 = 0. (9)

Finally, the energy equation holds:

∇. 𝜌 𝑉𝐶 , 𝑇 = ∇. (𝑘 ∇𝑇). (10)

Figure 5. Conceptual PTC and receiver tube description [P8]

Figure 6.Validation Nu number of the present model with correlations under various Re number [P8]

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4.5 Theoretical and experimental investigation
A) Theoretical Side

The mathematical model has been built based on describing the thermal model inside the receiver
tube of the parabolic trough collector by solving the energy balance equation at different nodes by
dividing the receiver section into different segments. The thermal resistance, losses heat gained, heat
transfer direction, and modes from the thermal heating fluid to the outside of the glass cover and vice
versa have been evaluated, as shown in Figure 7. The MATLAB code was built to be able to solve
and evaluate the thermal efficiency of PTC type LS2 using various base fluids and nanoparticles
under various concentrations for constant radiation intensity and variable ones. The model flow chart
description was demonstrated in Figure 8, where the assumption was based on reaching the heat loss
balance between the receiver tube to the galas and between the glass and the surroundings. [C1].

Figure 7. Thermal resistances nodes and heat transfer modes [C1].

calculate
declination,
Input geographical location, zenith, Hour,
Start
case 2 longitudinal, latitude, altitude, and incident
time, day,solar constant angels,
extraterrestrial
calculate Optical radiation
absorbed properties solve radiation Intinsity
intensity by input and Gb(PTC),Gh
glass and incident
receiver angle
modifier Start case 1
Gb=cons ,IAM=1 Input base fluid
and nanoparticle
input PTC spesification Tamb,Tin,Uw properties

Assume Tgo,i

Calculat qloss-go,i

solve Tgi,i Tro,i Tri,i

Modify
Segment Tgo,i
i=1...N Calculat qloss-ro,i

Abs(qloss-go,i - qloss-ro,i)

Solve Qloss,i
Qgain,i

Solve Tout,i

Total heat Gain and heat

losses

Thermal performance outlet

End results

Figure 8. Flow chart model description [C1].

9
On the other hand, a developed thermal model was analyzed and improved using MATLAB
Symbolic toolbox to investigate the thermal performance of the well-known PTC model (LS2) using
new modern mono and hybrid nanofluids based on the following cases:

 Case 1: (Mono and hybrid nanofluid comparison)-Aluminum Oxide Al2O3, Cerium Oxide
CeO2, and Copper Oxide CuO were inserted in Syltherm 800 separately to form mono
nanofluids while Aluminum Oxide was mixed with Cerium Oxide or Copper Oxide to form the
hybrid nanofluids. In fact, Cerium Oxide as a nanoparticle has limited research in solar
applications. It was experimentally investigated in a flat plate collector (FPC). [P7].
 Case 2: (Hybrid nanofluid volume concentration influence)-HNFs of untested nanoparticles
consisting of tungsten and alumina oxide-based Therminol VP1 were obtained under various
concentration volumes (0–4%) for a volume fraction of 50:50 for each nanoparticle. The
improvement effect of tungsten oxide nanoparticles was only studied as a mono nanofluid in
an evacuated tube. Moreover, to the best of the author’s knowledge, there is no study in the
literature to evaluate the effect of nanofluid under the radiation intensity of Budapest on the
performance of the PTC. [P3].
 Case 2: (Hybrid nanofluid mixing ratios influence)- To achieve the optimal thermal
performance of the PTC using a hybrid nanofluid of Al2O3 and CuO-Syltherm 800 with a total
volume concentration of 4% under various mixing ratios (4:0, 3:1, 2:2, 1:3, and 0:4) and various
inlet temperatures (300-600) K. [C5].

The thermal model analytical expression was based on several points: first, the heat losses from the
out-glass cover were defined using the Taylor series to make fourth-order temperature losses by
radiation more simplified, and then their simplification was completed to determine different heat
balance equations at other nodes. The second point specified the resulting equations of thermal
efficiency, heat losses, and various temperatures by grouping numerous known quantities and
dimensions in five symbols named K, as shown in Table 1. The following equations presented the
Taylor series assumption and the key equations utilized to address the thermal performance of the
PTC.

𝑄̇ = 𝐴 . 𝜀 . 𝜎. (𝑇 − 𝑇 )+ 𝐴 .ℎ . (𝑇 − 𝑇 ) (11)
𝑇 −𝑇 ≅ 4. 𝑇 . (𝑇 − 𝑇 ) (12)
𝑄̇ = {𝐴 . 𝜀 . 𝜎. 4. 𝑇 + 𝐴 .ℎ }. (𝑇 − 𝑇 ) (13)

Table 1. Symbols and parameter definitions [3, 4, 7, C5]

Symbols Definition
K1 𝐴 . 𝜀 . 𝜎. 4. 𝑇 +𝐴 .ℎ
K2 . . . ∗.
𝐴 . 𝜀 ∗ . 𝜎. 1 +
K3
+
. . ̇.
K4 . .
𝜂 . 1+
K5 . .
𝐾 . 1+
𝜀∗
+ .

𝜂 =𝐾 −𝐾 . ∗
(14)

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Thermal losses (𝑄̇ ) expressed as:

𝑄̇ = 𝜂 − 𝐾 . 𝑄̇ + 𝐾 . (𝑇 − 𝑇 ) (15)
In addition, receiver, cover glass, and outlet temperatures were covered as in the equations
below:

𝑇 =𝑇 + . 𝑄̇ − . (𝑇 − 𝑇 ) (16)

𝑇 =𝑇 + . 𝑄̇ + . (𝑇 − 𝑇 ) (17)

Finally, the outlet temperature and mean fluid temperature can be found in equations (18 & 19):

𝑇 =𝑇 + ̇.
. 𝑄̇ − ̇.
. (𝑇 − 𝑇 ) (18)

𝑇 =𝑇 + . ̇.
. 𝑄̇ − . ̇.
. (𝑇 − 𝑇 ) (19)

In addition, various equations were developed to evaluate exergy efficiency for various base
fluids and nanofluids (20-22). Equation (20) was used to show the output exergy [16], while
equation (21) reflects the Petela formula, which was utilized to compute the available solar
exergy [17]. Finally, equation (22) represented exergetic efficiency, where this parameter sought
to determine the PTC's capacity to generate electricity [18]. [P7, C5].

𝐸 = 𝑄̇ − 𝑚̇. 𝐶𝑝. 𝑇 . 𝑙𝑛 (20)

𝐸 = 𝐴 .𝐺 . 1 − . + . (21)

𝜂 = (22)

Finally, confirmation of this assumption demonstrated that it is true by obtaining a tiny variance
between the model results and various existing literature (whether experimental or numerical
data), as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9. Validation present model with literature experimental and numerical results [P3, P7]

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 B) Experimental Side

According to the experimental part, a new test rig was designed and developed, mainly consisting of
two identical PTCs, to investigate the thermal performance of distilled water with a number of mono
and hybrid nanofluids under the same weather conditions in Amman, Jordan. Obtained results of the
thermal efficiency characteristics curve of distilled water were compared with three new stable
nanofluids (CeO2 and MWCNT+Y2O3) on various test days under various flow rates and volume
concentrations. Figure 10 represents the test rig and the main devices used to obtain our experimental
results. [P5, P9].

Figure 10. Test-rig components and measurement devices [P5].

The thermal performance of the solar collector was evaluated using the instructions in ASHRAE
Standard 93-2003, and the following equations were used to establish all of our computations. The
studies took place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on sunny days (local time). This period was divided into 16
intervals to get inlet and outlet temperatures every 15 minutes and then saved using a data logger.
The fluid useful energy rate taken from the total solar energy that enters to the aperture area can be
calculated using the following equation (23).

𝑄̇ = 𝑚̇ 𝑐 ∆𝑇 = 𝑚̇ 𝑐 (𝑇 −𝑇 ) (23)

The total solar energy entering the aperture area can be found using the following formula (24).

𝑄̇ = 𝐴 𝐺 (24)

The thermal efficiency of the parabolic trough collector is defined as the amount of useful energy
divided by the total solar energy that enters the aperture area, where the thermal efficiency can be found
by using the following formula (25).

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 𝑄̇ (25)
𝜂 =
𝑄̇

The thermal efficiency of the parabolic trough collector can be defined as a linear equation, where 𝑎
represents the constant and 𝑏 the slope of the line.
𝜂 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑇 ∗∗ (26)

𝑎=𝐹 𝜂 (27)

𝑏 = −𝐹 𝑈 /𝐶 (28)

Where FR equal the ratio of the actual heat transfers to the maximum possible heat transfer through
the parabolic trough collector.
𝑇 ∗∗ is defined as the ratio between the difference of inlet and ambient temperature where 𝑇 ∗∗ can be
found by using the following formula (29).

𝑇 ∗∗ =
∆ (29)
The optical efficiency of the parabolic trough collector can be found by using the following formula
(30).
𝜂 =𝜌 𝜏𝛼𝛾 (30)

Finally, to validate the experimental setup results, the examined parabolic trough collector was
simulated using Solidworks software exactly using flow simulation packages, where the inlet and outlet
conditions are presented as shown in Figure 11. Figure 12 shows clearly that the thermal efficiency
curves results for the simulation and experimental during 13-7-2021 for water and 0.1% CeO 2 nanofluid
are close to each other. All of the obtained results are within the thermal efficiency accuracy of the
equipment which was approximately around 4.6%. [P5, P9].

Figure 11. PTC model inlet and outlet conditions [P5].

13
 Figure 12. Validation of the present model with experimental results for the CeO2 nanofluid and distilled water. [P5].

5 Novel scientific findings

The current research looked at a parabolic trough collector's theoretical and experimental heat
transfer performance by employing several kinds of traditional fluids and nanofluids. On the theoretical
side, the proposed model, consisting of three parts solar radiation model, optical model, and thermal
model, was simplified and solved by incorporating those models in a MATLAB code to evaluate the
thermal and exergy efficiency. New mono and hybrid nanofluids were tested, and their effects were
compared with various traditional fluids such as (Syltherm 800+ CeO2, Al2O3, CuO, and hybrid
combinations of Al2O3 with CeO2, or CuO) [P7], (Therminol VP1 and hybrid combinations of Al2O3
and WO3) [P3], (Syltherm 800+ WO3) [P4]. Numerically, a CFD model under various conditions was
simulated to evaluate the thermal performance enhancement of utilizing (MOL68 and hybrid
combinations of MWCNT+ CeO2) [P8]. Experimentally, under the weather conditions of Amman as a
case study, the thermal efficiency of the designed PTC was examined, and the results of various tests
were validated using the Solidworks model. On this side, the thermal performance of utilizing mono
nanofluid of distilled water +CeO2 [P5] and hybrid combinations of MWCNT and Y2O3 with surfactant
were examined under various concentrations [P9]. The main contributions from this research in the
form of theses as listed below:

Thesis 1:
- New statistical models were developed, mainly seven regression models and one parametric
model, to estimate the hourly diffuse radiation in Budapest as a case study using the measured
hourly global and diffuse radiation between 2011 and 2018. After evaluating all models'
accuracy, a linear model is applied for the estimation of hourly diffuse irradiance in Budapest
due to its accuracy in comparison with the available literature and simplicity, which requires
less computational cost than the modified ASHRAE model and other regression models with
the same prediction accuracy as shown in the following equation. Finally, to check the linear
model's capacity to estimate diffuse radiation, it was applied to a dataset outside the test range
(dataset from 2019). The model predicted diffuse irradiance with a correlation value of 0.93.

𝐼 = 0.6341 × 𝐼 − 0.001 × 𝐼 × 𝐾
Where: 𝐼 , is the hourly diffuse solar radiation on the horizontal surface, 𝐼 is the global insolation
on the horizontal surface, and 𝐾 is the clearness index. [P2].

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Thesis 2

- The influence of concentration and temperature of utilizing a hybrid nanofluid of MWCNT and
Y2O3 in distilled water with GA surfactant on the thermal conductivity was examined
experimentally using a transient hot-wire device.
- On the base of experiments a new proposed correlation for MWCNT and Y2O3 hybrid nanofluid
thermal conductivity enhancement ratio was presented using a curve fitting tool in MATLAB.
The calculated experimental results demonstrated good accuracy with the proposed correlation
of thermal conductivity ratio, with R2=0.99.

k ratio,hnf =1.032-.003292T-0.4149φ+0.0001046T 2 +0.02449Tφ+0.7006φ 2 -6.594×10 -7 T 3 -0.0001395T 2 φ-0.03281Tφ 2

Where: kratio,hnf is the thermal conductivity enhancement ratio, T is the hybrid nanofluid temperature,
and φ is the hybrid nanofluid volume concentration. This correlation is valid for temperatures from 20
ºC to 60 ºC and volume concentrations from 0.01 % up to 0.2 %. (HNF with GA surfactant). [P6].

Thesis 3

- On the base of experiments a new proposed correlation for MWCNT and Y2O3 hybrid nanofluid
relative viscosity was presented using the curve fitting tool in MATLAB, and the calculated
experimental results demonstrated good accuracy with the proposed correlation, with R 2= 0.95.

RV=0.5555+0.001343T+7.174φ-0.0001016T 2 +0.5802Tφ

Where: RV is the relative viscosity, φ is the hybrid nanofluid volume concentration, and T is the
hybrid nanofluid temperature. This correlation is valid for temperatures from 20 ºC to 60 ºC and volume
concentrations from 0.01 % up to 0.2 %. [P6].

Thesis 4
- An appropriate CFD model was built to investigate the convection heat transfer coefficient and
hydrodynamic behaviors of hybrid nanofluids. New results are obtained under different heat
fluxes on both sides of the receiver tube of PTC that can not be derived from known correlation
formulas. Utilizing new hybrid nanoparticles of MWCNT and CeO2-based Hungarian oil
(TERMOL-68) was investigated under constant temperatures equal to 373 K and Reynolds
number ranges (5×103-100×103) and two volume concentrations (1 and 4%). The heat transfer
coefficient results showed a notable increase by increasing the concentrations and the Reynolds
number increases. Accordingly, the convection heat transfer coefficient varied with Re number
from low to high values as follows: 331.753 up to 3120.150 W/m2.K for concentration 1%, it
from 350.05 up to 3276.54 W/m2.K for concentration 4%. In comparison, it was from 289.05
up to 2897 W/m2.K for oil. This means enhancements reach 14.77% by 1% concentration and
21% by 4%. [P8].

15
Thesis 5
The analytical solution of the energy balance equation was solved using MATLAB Symbolic tool
to be able to obtain the thermal performance of the LS2 PTC model for various thermal fluids and cases
as follows:
- Mono and hybrid nanofluid thermal efficiency comparison: It found that the maximum
thermal efficiency enhancement was 1.09% using Al2O3&CeO2, while it reached 1.08%,
0.4705%, 0.4499%, and 0.4045% for Al2O3&Cuo, CeO2, CuO, and Al2O3. (300-600K,
150L/min, 4%).

- Variable mixing ratios effect: It found that the optimum mixing ratio of 1% Al2O3 and 3% Cu-
based Syltherm 800 showed high enhancement energy and exergy efficiencies, reaching 2.15%
and 2.012%, respectively. (300-600K, 50L/min, 4%).

- Different volume concentrations: It found that the thermal and exergy efficiencies of Al2O3 &
WO3 based Therminol VP1 achieved the greatest improvement using 4%Vol concentration,
and it equals 0.39 and 0.38, respectively. (300-600K, 150L/min, 1-4%).
Finally, the thermal efficiency results were validated and compared with the Sandia National
Laboratories (SNL) experimental results. The thermal efficiency results showed high accuracy
behaviour with the experimental results with a mean deviation of 1.15%. Moreover, the present
model was compared with other numerical work; the results of thermal efficiency of the present
model showed more precise results and lower mean deviation results compared with this work. [P3,
P7, C5].

Thesis 6
A new test rig was designed and developed, mainly consisting of two identical PTCs, to investigate
the thermal performance of distilled water with a number of mono and hybrid nanofluids under the same
weather conditions in Amman, Jordan. The thermal efficiency characteristics curve of distilled water
was compared with two new stable mono and hybrid nanofluids (CeO2 and MWCNT+Y2O3) on various
test days under different flow rates and volume concentrations. The main findings as follows:

- For mono nanofluid of CeO2- It found that the maximum thermal efficiency was obtained for
0.1% volume concentration and reached 18.03%, and it reached 17.15%, 16.11% and 14.40%
for 0.06%, 0.03% and 0.01% volume concentration of CeO2 nanofluid, respectively; it reached
11.6% for water. (0.7L/min).
- For hybrid nanofluid of MWCNT+Y2O3- It found that the maximum thermal efficiency was
obtained for 0.1% volume concentration and reached 44.24%, and it reached 39.13%, 36.11%
and 33.42% for 0.05%, 0.025% and 0.01% volume concentration of MWCNT+Y2O3 nanofluid,
respectively; it reached 19.32% for water. (0.9L/min).
A comparisons were performed between the experiments and the solidworks simulation models
thermal efficiency. The obtained results showed clearly that the efficiency curves for the simulation and
experimental during 13-7-2021 for water and 0.1% volume concentration of CeO2 nanofluid are close
to each other. [P5, P9].

16
5.1 Journals publications

[P1] Al-Oran O, Lezsovits F. Recent experimental enhancement techniques applied in the receiver
part of the parabolic trough collector–A review. International Review of Applied Sciences
Engineering. 2020;11(3). DOI:https://doi.org/10.1556/1848.2020.00055. (Appeared), (Q3.
Scopus). (Related to thesis)
[P2] Al‐Ghussain L, Al‐Oran O, Lezsovits F. Statistical estimation of hourly diffuse radiation
intensity of Budapest City. J Environmental Progress Sustainable Energy. 2021;40(1):e13464.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.13464. (Appeared), (Q2, WoS, IF = 2.431). (Related to
thesis)
[P3] Al-Oran O, Lezsovits F. A Hybrid Nanofluid of Alumina and Tungsten Oxide for Performance
Enhancement of a Parabolic Trough Collector under the Weather Conditions of Budapest.
Applied Sciences. 2021;11(11):4946. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/app11114946. (Appeared),
(Q2, WoS, IF = 2.679). (Related to thesis)
[P4] Al-Oran O, Lezsovits F. Enhance thermal efficiency of parabolic trough collector using
Tungsten oxide/Syltherm 800 nanofluid. J Pollack Periodica. 2020;15(2):187-98.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1556/606.2020.15.2.17. (Appeared), (Q3. Scopus). (Related to thesis)
[P5] Al-Oran O, Asaf A, Lezsovits F. Experimental and Modeling Investigation of Inserting Ceria
Oxide Based-Distilled Water Nanofluid on the Thermal Performance of Parabolic Trough
Collectors at the Weather Conditions of Amman as a Case Study. Energy Reports.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.03.030 (Appeared), (2022). (Q1, WoS, IF = 6.87).
(Related to thesis)
[P6] Al-Oran O, Lezsovits F. Experimental Study of Thermal Conductivity and Viscosity of Water-
Based MWCNT-Y2O3 Hybrid Nanofluid with Surfactant. Journal of Engineering
Thermophysics. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1810232822010088 (Appeared), (2022). (Q2,
WoS, IF = 1.402). (Related to thesis)
[P7] Al-Oran O, Lezsovits F, Aljawabrah A. Exergy and energy amelioration for parabolic trough
collector using mono and hybrid nanofluids. Journal of Thermal Analysis Calorimetry.
2020;140(3):1579-96. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-020-09371-x. (Appeared). (Q2,
WoS, IF = 4.626). (Related to thesis)
[P8] Al-Oran O, Lezsovits F. Thermal performance of inserting hybrid nanofluid in parabolic trough
collector. Pollack Periodica. 2021. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1556/606.2021.00318. (Appeared),
(Q3. Scopus). (Related to thesis)
[P9] Al-Oran O, Lezsovits F. Performance investigation of hybrid nanofluid based parabolic trough
solar collector under climatic conditions. (Under preparing) (Q1, WoS). (Related to thesis)

5.2 Conferences
[C1] Examined Thermal Performance of the Parabolic Trough Collector under Radiation Intensity of
Budapest, 14th International Conference on HEAT ENGINES AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION, Budapest, May 27–29. 2019.

[C2] Enhance thermal efficiency of parabolic trough collector using Tungsten/ Syltherm 800 nanofluid,
15th Miklós Iványi Phd and DLA Symposium, Pécs, Oct 28-29.2019.
https://issuu.com/pivanyi/docs/abstract_book_symp_2019.

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[C3] Thermal performance investigation of inserting hybrid nanofluid of Ceria oxide and MWCNT-
based oil in the receiver tube of parabolic trough collector: Numerical study,16th Miklós Iványi Phd
and DLA Symposium, Pécs, Oct 26-27.2020.
https://issuu.com/pivanyi/docs/book_of_abstract_2020.

[C4] Parametric Investigation of Nano-Fluids Utilization in Parabolic Trough Collector: Renewable

Engineering Conference (IREC), International IEEE, Amman, April 14-15 2021.
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9427854.

[C5] Hybrid nanofluid mixing ratios effect on the performance of the parabolic trough collector: Jordan-
Nano Symposium 2021, Amman, March 16-18.2021.
http://centers.ju.edu.jo/en/nano/SiteAssets/Lists/Announcements/NewForm/Jordan%20Nano-
Symposium%202021.pdf.

5.3 Other Publications

[P10] Kaood A, Abubakr M, Al-Oran O, Hassan MA. Performance analysis and particle swarm
optimization of molten salt-based nanofluids in parabolic trough concentrators. Renewable
Energy. 2021. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.06.049. (Appeared), (Q1, WoS, IF
= 8.001).
[P11] Kamel MS, Al-Oran O, Lezsovits F. Thermal conductivity of Al2O3 and CeO2 nanoparticles
and their hybrid based water nanofluids: An experimental study. Periodica Polytechnica
Chemical Engineering. 2021;65(1):50-60.DOI:https://doi.org/10.3311/PPch.15382.
(Appeared), (Q3, WoS, IF = 1.382).
[P12] Ayadi, O., Al–Oran, O., Hamdan, M., Salameh, T., Hasan, A. A., Juaidi, A., ... & Jaradat, M.
(2022). Utilization of mono and hybrid nanofluids in solar thermal collectors. Renewable
Energy Production and Distribution, 3-44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91892-
3.00008-X. (Appeared), (Book Chapter).

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[3] Ayadi, O., et al., Utilization of mono and hybrid nanofluids in solar thermal collectors. J
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[4] Al‐Ghussain, L., O. Al‐Oran, and F. Lezsovits, Statistical estimation of hourly diffuse
radiation intensity of Budapest City. J Environmental Progress Sustainable Energy, 2021.
40(1): p. e13464.
[5] Al-Oran, O. and F. Lezsovits, A Hybrid Nanofluid of Alumina and Tungsten Oxide for
Performance Enhancement of a Parabolic Trough Collector under the Weather Conditions of
Budapest. Applied Sciences, 2021. 11(11): p. 4946.
[6] Al-Oran, O. and F. Lezsovits, Enhance thermal efficiency of parabolic trough collector using
Tungsten oxide/Syltherm 800 nanofluid. J Pollack Periodica, 2020. 15(2): p. 187-198.
[7] Gupta, N., S.M. Gupta, and S. Sharma, Preparation of stable metal/COOH-MWCNT hybrid
nanofluid. J Materials Today: Proceedings, 2021. 36: p. 649-656.

18
[8] Tiwari, A.K., et al., 4S consideration (synthesis, sonication, surfactant, stability) for the
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