Analysis of solar collector efficiency utilizing micro-groove channels, swirled ribbon, and square coil improvements: a numerical and experimental study
4 affiliations
- 1Solar Energy Research Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- 2Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Abu Dhabi University
- 3Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Thi-Qar
- 4Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Abstract
Limited efficacy for solar thermal collectors’ designs remains a challenge. This work uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to examine three Micro-groove channel configurations: a Micro-groove channel, a Micro-groove channel with a swirled ribbon, and a Micro-groove channel with a swirled ribbon and a new square coil. This study aims to assess the thermo-hydraulic characteristics and establish the most efficient design. The proposed photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system employs water and a nanofluid (NF) containing Al₂O₃ at volume concentrations of 0.1% and 0.2% as working fluids. Experimental and numerical evaluations were performed with volume flow ranging from 166× 10−7 to 498× 10−7 m3/second and irradiance intensity of solar from 400 watts/square meter to 1000 watts/square meter. The innovative design, using micro-groove channels and swirled ribbon coil, demonstrates enhanced performance, with a thermal hydraulic performance factor of 1.2. It was experimentally found that electrical efficiency significantly improved, increasing by 37.91% when 0.2% NF was used under ideal flow and irradiance conditions. The system showed a high decrease in PV cell temperature of 32.04 °C and the high-power output of 24.2 W. The findings shed light on the effectiveness of the proposed design in the enhancement of the PVT system.
Related
- Efficiency of Dual Minor Procedure Rooms in Plastic Surgery: A Quasi-Experimental Study
- A preliminar validation-driven experimental–numerical framework for vaginal delivery simulation
- A “stepped” flexible vacuum-assisted ureteral access sheath improves stone clearance efficiency: experimental results from an ex vivo porcine model
- Phytochemical study, solvent extraction efficiency, and antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Moroccan Teucrium polium L. ssp. thymoïdes: a combined experimental and DFT study
- Experimental investigation of pile diameter and group configuration effects on soil pile interaction and lateral group efficiency in sand
BibTeX
@article{radhi2026analysis,
title = {{Analysis of solar collector efficiency utilizing micro-groove channels, swirled ribbon, and square coil improvements: a numerical and experimental study}},
author = {Firas Abdulamir Radhi and Adnan Ibrahim and Mohammad Alkhedher and Ahmed Ameen Ali and Zeki Ali Al-Saadi and Kamaruzzaman Sopian and Hariam Luqman Azeez and Ahmad Fazlizan},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-67381-5},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-67381-5},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Analysis of solar collector efficiency utilizing micro-groove channels, swirled ribbon, and square coil improvements: a numerical and experimental study
AU - Firas Abdulamir Radhi
AU - Adnan Ibrahim
AU - Mohammad Alkhedher
AU - Ahmed Ameen Ali
AU - Zeki Ali Al-Saadi
AU - Kamaruzzaman Sopian
AU - Hariam Luqman Azeez
AU - Ahmad Fazlizan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-67381-5
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-67381-5
AB - Limited efficacy for solar thermal collectors’ designs remains a challenge. This work uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to examine three Micro-groove channel configurations: a Micro-groove channel, a Micro-groove channel with a swirled ribbon, and a Micro-groove channel with a swirled ribbon and a new square coil. This study aims to assess the thermo-hydraulic characteristics and establish the most efficient design. The proposed photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system employs water and a nanofluid (NF) containing Al₂O₃ at volume concentrations of 0.1% and 0.2% as working fluids. Experimental and numerical evaluations were performed with volume flow ranging from 166× 10^−7 to 498× 10^−7 m3/second and irradiance intensity of solar from 400 watts/square meter to 1000 watts/square meter. The innovative design, using micro-groove channels and swirled ribbon coil, demonstrates enhanced performance, with a thermal hydraulic performance factor of 1.2. It was experimentally found that electrical efficiency significantly improved, increasing by 37.91% when 0.2% NF was used under ideal flow and irradiance conditions. The system showed a high decrease in PV cell temperature of 32.04 °C and the high-power output of 24.2 W. The findings shed light on the effectiveness of the proposed design in the enhancement of the PVT system.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -