Plenary Lecture
Effect of Using Nanofluids in Solar Collector: A Review
Professor Kamaruzzaman Sopian
Solar Energy Research Institute
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Malaysia
E-mail: ksopian@eng.ukm.my
Abstract: The use of nanofluids for cooling is attracting considerable attention in various industrial applications. Compared with conventional fluids, nanofluids improve the heat transfer rate, as well as the optical properties, thermal properties, efficiency, and transmission and extinction coefficients of solar systems. The effects of different nanofluids on the cooling rate and hence the efficiency of solar systems have been gain a lot of interest recently. A review of the effects of nanofluids on the performance of solar collectors from the considerations of efficiency and environmental benefits will be presented. A review of literature shows that many studies have evaluated the potential of nanofluids for cooling different solar collectors. An overview of studies regarding the performance of solar collector, such as flat-plate and direct solar-absorption collectors with the use of nanofluids as working fluid will and the effect of surface-to-volume ratio on thermal conductivity is more than the effect of the surface size of nanoparticles will also be presented.
Brief Biography of the Speaker: Prof Kamaruzzaman Sopian graduated with the PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Dorgan Solar Laboratory, University of Miami at Coral Gables in 1997. He is presently the Professor of Renewable Energy in the Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering, at the National University of Malaysia and currently is the Director of the Solar Energy Research Institute in the same university. He has been involved in the field of renewable energy for more than 25-years. His main contributions are in solar radiation modeling and resource assessment, advanced solar photovoltaic systems (grid-connected photovoltaic, solar powered regenerative fuel cell, solar hydrogen production, thin film silicon solar cell) and advanced solar thermal systems (solar cooling, solar heat pump, solar assisted drying, combined photovoltaic thermal or hybrid collector). He won several international awards for his academic contribution in renewable energy including the IDB (Islamic Development Bank) S&T Prize 2013, World Renewable Energy Network Pioneer Award 2012, Malaysia Green Technology Award 2012, and the ASEAN Energy Awards (2005, 2007, 2013 and 2014). He has 4 patents, 20 patents pending, 6 copyrights, and 1 trademark for his innovation in renewable energy technology.