Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (Jan 2025)
Thermal enhancement using variable characteristics and tripartite diffusion features of solar aircraft wings in context of Reiner-Philippoff hybrid nanofluid passing through a parabolic trough solar collector
Abstract
The application of solar energy in manufacturing processes and thermal power has changed dramatically. This time, the analysis of solar radiation and the possible combination of solar radiation and nanotechnology to increase the efficiency of solar-powered aircraft becomes a significant area of research. Solar-thermal applications often use parabolic trough solar collectors to achieve high temperatures. This is a theoretical study that discuss the effects of hybrid nano-solid particles on the parabolic trough surface collector which is located inside the solar aircraft wings. For this investigation, the non-Newtonian Reiner-Philippoff model; a renowned and cutting-edge type of thermally efficient fluid as well as the stability triple diffusive boundary layer natural convective flow contained in a Darcy-Forchheimer porous medium have been taken into consideration. To verify the thermophysical behavior of the suggested model, unique hybrid nanoparticles copper along with zirconium dioxide with engine oil as base fluid (Cu + ZrO2/EO) has been added to the solar aircraft wings to improve the heat transfer performance. Scientists are currently investigating how to use solar radiation and nanotechnology to increase aircraft manufacturing. To investigate the phenomenon of heat transfer rate, a hybrid nanofluid stream is traveling in the direction of a parabolic-shaped trough found inside solar airplane wings. Solar thermal radiation was the term used to describe the heat transfer process. Heat source/sink phenomena, various slip boundary conditions, thermal radiative, chemical reaction, variable thermal conductivity, and variable molecular diffusivity are some of the special characteristics that are taken into account while assessing the heat transfer efficiency of airplane wings. With the utilization of the appropriate similarity transformations, partial differential equations that represent the mathematical model can be simplified to ordinary differential equations. To address the obtained dimensionless ordinary deferential equations, Lobatto IIIA numerical technique was employed via Matlab software. By comparing the obtained results with the current literature, the credibility of the numerical results is ascertained. It is found that the elevation of thermal radiation enhances the functionality of aircraft wings that are exposed to heat transfer. Moreover, the rate of heat transfer is enhanced by positive variations in heat source and thermal conductivity effects.
