Researchers in Malaysia have designed a photovoltaic thermal system that can be used for drying solar energy, space heating, roof systems and thermal applications outside the grid. It is based on a double cooling technique based on air convection and phase change material that is said to increase PV efficiency from 7% to 9% and thermal efficiency by 31.45%.
Researchers from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia have a photovoltaic thermal double pass solar director (PVT-
DPSAH) that uses a double cooling system that depends on air convection and cylinders made from phase change materials (PCM), which also serves as a heat storage unit.
PCMS absorb, store and release large amounts of latent heat over defined temperature ranges. They are often used at research level for PV module cooling And the storage of heat.
“This is the first time that A integrated cylindrical PCM capsules in a sandwich structure,” the main author of the research, “the main author,” Sahibzada Imad Ud Dintold PV -Magazine. “The PCM cylinders are connected from the PV panel to the back plate, which supplies double heat transfer
By inducing both conduction and convection, without mechanical voltage on the PV panel. “
“The compact and self-powered design makes its use possible when drying solar energy, space heating, roof systems and thermal applications outside the grid, which offers sustainable thermal electrical energy without external power sources,” he continued. “The system improves the PV performance through a double cooling mechanism: forced air convection and passive cooling via PCM. This significantly reduces the PV surface temperature, which improves the PV efficiency.”
In the proposed system configuration, the PCM is heated in one of the two channels of the PVT panel by conducting the back of the PV unit, which in turn transmits thermal energy directly into the PCM. Moreover, hot air from the other channel heats the outer surface of the cylinders.
The double heating of cylinders speeds up the phase change process and reduces the time required for the PCM to achieve a fully melted state. In addition, the spread PCM cylinders induce turbulence, which improves air mixing in the second channel, increasing the heat transfer coefficient.
The first channel has a depth of 0.035 m and is placed on the PV panel, while it is underneath and has a depth of 0.07 m. The 28 cylindrical PCM capsules were implemented in a 4-3-4 configuration.
Image: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
For the cylinders, the researchers prepared a nano-improved PCM for the help of RT-45 paraffinwax doped with silicon carbide (SIC) nano particles. The mixture included 100 g sic per 2.5 kg, which resulted in a volume concentration of 1%.
Due to a series of outdoor experiments, the scientists discovered that PCM was melted around 11 a.m. when it started working as a thermal buffer. It released stored heat, despite changes in solar radiation, where the starting temperature “suitable” remained for efficient practical use.
Ultrasonic mixing was performed at 80 ° C for 3 hours to guarantee homogeneity and thermal stability, whereby further analysis also shows that the proposed system configuration can increase the PV efficiency of 7% to 9% and thermal efficiency with 31.45%.
“This increase is due to the effect of integrating PCM cylinders, which acts as thermal energy storage, heat transfer improvement, rejecting the PV surface temperature and maintaining higher starting temperatures,” said UD Din. “These improved thermal performance have important implications for different applications, such as drying solar energy and space heating.”
“Combined PVT efficiency peaked at 99.43%,” he concluded. “The design maintained high output temperatures, even during cloudy or fluctuating weather conditions, validated by both indoor and outdoor analysis.”
Other Research Groups at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Recently Designed A PVT Panel Based on Twisted Absorber Tubes and Nanoparticle-Enhanced PCM, A Bifacial (PVT) Panel That Utilizes Imping on a Cooling, A Cooling A Coolinging, A Coolinging A Coolinging, A Cooling, A Cooling, A Cooling, A Cooling, A Cooling, A Cooling, A Cooling, A Cooling A Cooling, A Cooling, A Cooling A Cooling, A Cooling, A Cooling A Cooling, A Cooling A Cooling, A Cooling A Cooling, A Cooling A Cooling, Pc Heat Sinks for Solar Module Cooling, and Passive Technology for Solar Module Cooling Based on Fin Heat Zinken.
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