Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), led by Prof. Tamal Banerjee from the Department of Chemical Engineering, have achieved a significant milestone by developing an innovative heat transfer fluid based on nanofluids. This breakthrough technology efficiently transfers solar-generated heat to desalination systems.
Addressing Global Water Scarcity with Innovative Heat Transfer Fluids
IIT Guwahati’s pioneering work on nanofluid-based heat transfer fluids offers a promising solution for addressing the pressing issue of global water scarcity. By efficiently harnessing solar power for desalination, this advancement presents a practical approach to producing potable water from seawater.
Overcoming Challenges in Solar-Powered Desalination
While Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) holds potential for generating heat from sunlight, transferring this heat to desalination plants has been a challenge. Conventional heat transfer fluids have limitations, prompting the exploration of nanofluids. The exceptional thermal conductivity and stability of graphene oxide dispersed in Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) offer an efficient alternative. The researchers successfully demonstrated the superior thermal properties of nanofluids for heat transfer applications.
The study, funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, and published in the journal Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering by the American Chemical Society, lays the foundation for a more sustainable and effective approach to freshwater production using solar energy.
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