Thermodynamic Optimization of Hybrid Nanofluid Flow in Parabolic trough Solar Collectors for Solar-Powered Agricultural Machinery

Abstract

The efficiency of solar-powered farm machinery is often limited by inadequate heat transfer in conventional working fluids, reducing the thermal performance of parabolic trough solar collectors (PTSCs). Enhancing the thermophysical properties of the working fluid using a binary hybrid nanofluid (Cu + Al₂O₃) presents a promising solution for sustainable agricultural systems. Thus, this study investigates the thermodynamic behaviour of hybrid nanofluid flow within PTSCs, focusing on heat transfer enhancement, temperature distribution, and entropy generation. Governing equations for momentum, energy, and entropy were solved numerically using a spectral collocation approach under steady-state conditions. The results show that adding 4% hybrid nanoparticles increased the heat transfer rate by 52% and reduced entropy generation by 12%, indicating a more thermodynamically efficient process. Higher Reynolds numbers promoted uniform temperature distribution across the collector, contributing to overall system stability.