Research results declared by the mechanical engineers at the Arizona State University concluded that the use of minuscule nano graphite particles, which are nearly 1000 times smaller than the breadth of a human hair, in solar heat collectors increases their heat absorbing efficiency by 10%.

According to the research conducted by Robert Taylor, a mechanical engineering graduate student at Arizona State University and his colleagues, the PV solar panels can utilize only a part of the solar energy received by them and the unused part converts into heat and hinders the performance of solar panels. The research indicates that solar thermal collectors are available in various shapes such as evacuated tubes, dishes, towers, panels and much more. The collectors utilize all the solar energy received by them without waste for boiling water to generate steam and for running the turbines to produce power.

For improving the competence of solar collectors, the researchers have blended graphite nano particles, measuring one billionth of a meter in size into oil utilized for heat transfer in the solar thermal plants. Graphite was chosen for the specific benefits offered by black color such as absorbing more sun light thereby improving the efficiency of the solar collectors. Taylor has pointed out that the graphite nanoparticles will save around $3.5 million dollars for a 100 MW solar thermal plant every year.

Taylor explained that graphite nano-particles can also cost less than $1 per gram and 100 grams of nano-particles is enough to cover an area measuring the size of a football field. He also clarified the possibilities of utilizing filtrated nanoparticles of soot from coal power plants and enables a pollutant to be used for the generation of clean energy.

Source: http://www.asu.edu/