Thermal performance analysis of a flat-plate solar heater with zigzag-shaped pipe using fly ash-Cu hybrid nanofluid: CFD approach

Regarding the detrimental impacts of using non-renewable energy resources on the environment and the importance of increasing heat transfer in heat exchangers, this research is aimed to increase the heat transfer surface of the collector pipe in contact with the absorber plate at the flat-plate solar collector by designing the pipe in a zigzag shape instead of conventional straight pipe. The 3D coupled investigation of fly ash-Cu/water hybrid nanofluids and analyzing the thermal performance of the proposed solar collector comprising zigzag pipe are the innovation of this research. Also, the effect of variations in mass flow rate, fluid inlet temperature, the volume fraction of nanoparticles on thermal efficiency, Nusselt number, pressure drop, Rayleigh number, and rate of heat transfer coefficient in three irradiations with two types of working fluids have been investigated. Results indicate that due to the enhancement in heat transfer surface in the case where the fluid path is zigzag, the thermal efficiency has improved compared to the straight pipe. In addition, with enhancing mass flow rate, temperature, and irradiation, the average Nusselt number increased. The heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop have the highest value by utilizing 0.5% and 3.5% nanoparticle concentration up to 10.84% and 7.603%, respectively, at a mass flow rate of 0.0089 kg/s, and irradiation of 800 W/m². Finally, by calculating the efficiency index of the proposed flat-plate solar collector, the proper volume concentration for using copper-fly ash/water hybrid nanofluid is obtained at fraction of 0.5% and a mass flow rate of 0.0045 kg/s.