Enhancing heat transfer in solar-powered ships: a study on hybrid nanofluids with carbon nanotubes and their application in parabolic trough solar collectors with electromagnetic controls

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this research is to explore the use of solar-powered ships (SPS) as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel dependency in the maritime industry. The study focuses on improving the heat transfer efficiency in SPS by employing hybrid nanofluids (HNF) containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Additionally, a novel approach utilizing renewable energy and electromagnetic control is proposed to enhance the performance of SPS. The research implements the non-Newtonian Maxwell type and Cattaneo–Christov heat flux model in parabolic trough solar collectors used for ships. The study conducts theoretical experiments and simulations to evaluate the thermal conductivity and viscosity of the CNT-based HNF. Various properties, including solar thermal radiation, viscous dissipation, slippery velocity, and porous media, are assessed to determine the effectiveness of thermal transport in SPS. The research employs similarity variables to simplify the complex partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations and solves them using the Chebyshev collocation spectral method. The results indicate that the MWCNT-SWCNT/EO hybrid nanofluid significantly improves the thermal conductivity, thereby enhancing heat transfer. The HNF exhibits an efficiency rate of approximately 1.78% with a minimum efficiency rate of 2.26%.