Computational analysis of radiative heat transfer due to rotating tube in parabolic trough solar collectors with Darcy Forchheimer porous medium

Abstract

This attempt numerically investigates the heat transfer in parabolic trough solar collectors due to the rotating tube for the hybrid nanofluid flow over the Riga surface with Darcy Forchheimer’s porous medium under the effect of solar radiation. The influences of viscous dissipation and Joule heating are also considered. Equations governing the fluid flow are non-dimensionalized by implementing appropriate similarity variables. The resulting non-dimensionalized ordinary differential equations are solved using the shooting technique with Adam Bashforth and Adam Moulten’s fourth-order numerical approach. The numerical outcomes for various influential physical parameters regarding the fluid velocity, temperature, Nusselt number, and entropy generation are presented in graphical form. It is observed that the thermal profile escalates with the higher values of Reynold’s number, modified magnetic field parameter, and Prandtl number. Also, the Nusselt number diminishes with augmenting values of the Eckert number, modified magnetic field parameter, Forchheimer number, and Darcy number. The optimization of heat transfer in parabolic trough collectors is essential to improve the performance of solar collectors. The concentrated solar power technology is adequate for storing radiation energy in higher amounts.