Journal of Computational Applied Mechanics

Enhancing the Thermal Performance of Parabolic Trough Collectors Using Nano-Enhanced Absorber Coatings: A Comparative Study of Fe3O4, Al2O3 and Hybrid Fe3O4- Al2O3 Coatings

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical And Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pin Code-602105, India

2 Department of Transport systems, Urgench State University named after Abu Rayhan Biruni, Urgench, 14, Kh.Alimdjan str, Urgench city, 220100, Uzbekistan

Abstract

Solar thermal systems use parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) to concentrate sunlight on an absorber tube to create heat for various applications. They are efficient but have optical losses, heat dissipation, and reduced performance owing to dust and high-emissivity coatings. Hence, nanomaterials can improve absorber coatings' heat retention and energy efficiency. This research paper is an examination of the impact of nano-enhanced coating on PTC thermal characteristics. The various types of coating were a hybrid coating of Fe3O4-Al2O3 nano-enhanced coating, Fe3O4 nano-enhanced coating, Al2O3 nano-enhanced coating and black matte tested in their effects on energy and exergy efficiency, heat absorption, and fluid outlet temperature. It was found that the hybrid Fe3O4-Al2O3 coating recorded the highest of 81.5 ᵒC fluid outlet temperature, maximum of 3186.4 W heat absorption, thermal efficiency of 79.38% or exergy efficiency of 42.88%. Fe3O4 was selected because it has a high optical absorption, and Al2O3 was selected because it has a high thermal conductivity, which allows heat transfer to be efficient and losses to be reduced. The most ineffective one was black matte coating because the highest 59.4ᵒC fluid temperature and 42.57% thermal efficiency. Therefore, the nanomaterials enhance the power of PTC and this indicates that the materials have the possibility of maximizing the utilization of solar energy. The researchers established that solar thermal collector performance can be increased with the use of advanced nano-coatings, including the Fe3O4-Al2O3 hybrid and facilitation of the renewable, efficient, and sustainable renewable energy systems.

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Main Subjects

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Journal of Computational Applied Mechanics
Volume 57, Issue 3
July 2026
Pages 413-424
  • Receive Date: 19 February 2026
  • Revise Date: 23 February 2026
  • Accept Date: 24 February 2026