Direct absorption solar thermal collectors have the potential to offer an unlimited source of renewable energy with minimal environmental impact. The results of laboratory based testing and outdoor testing using a 1 m diameter parabolic dish solar oven have shown that a modified cement mortar containing small quantities of carbon nanotubes can improve its photo-thermal response compared to the plain mortar. Laboratory based testing under visible light recorded a temperature difference of up to 8.1ºC between the plain cement mortar and the optimized carbon nanotube based cement mortar. Solar oven studies recorded a temperature difference of up to 132ºC between the optimized carbon nanotube based cement mortar (293ºC) and the plain cement mortar (161ºC). These studies have revealed that modifying a cement mortar with 5 mg of carbon nanotubes can effectively improve its photo-thermal response and its ability to perform as an effective thermal absorber.
Details
Title
Enhanced photo-thermal response of a cement-based composite containing carbon nanotubes
Authors/Creators
G.E.J. Poinern (Author/Creator)
J. Malarecki (Author/Creator)
D. Fawcett (Author/Creator)
Publication Details
International Journal of Energy Engineering, Vol.4(1), pp.10-15