SIMULATION STUDY ON ENHANCING HYDROGEN PRODUCTION IN AN OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY (OTEC) SYSTEM UTILIZING A SOLAR COLLECTOR

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amyra MY ◽  
Nor'azizi Othman ◽  
Shamsul Sarip ◽  
Yasuyuki Ikegami ◽  
Mohd Alshafiq Tambi Chik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Simulation Study ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Hydrogen Generation ◽  
Thermodynamic Efficiency ◽  
Control Parameters ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy ◽  
Flat Plate Solar Collector ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy ◽  
Net Power Output

This article reports the simulation study on the performance of utilizing a solar collector at the inlet of an evaporator to provide auxiliary heat into a system for hydrogen generation in an OTEC cycle. The conventional method of OTEC is simulated by FORTRAN programming and the results were compared with the presence of solar collector on the system. In the simulation experimental, the incoming temperature of warm seawater was boosted by using a flat plate solar collector. For the purpose of the experiment, a 100 kW OTEC cycle that was designed incorporated a solar boosting capability. Its thermodynamic efficiency was then compared through a series of simulation involving several control parameters. The results reveal that the proposed solar boosted OTEC enhanced the thermal efficiency, TE. Increase in solar power absorption can increase the net power output, thus increasing the amount of hydrogen produced. The results obtained provided insights, from a thermodynamic perspective, on the outcome of combining sustainable energy with solar thermal energy to improve the system performance.

Potential of Size Reduction of Flat-Plate Solar Collectors when Applying Al2O3 Nanofluid

2013 ◽  
Vol 832 ◽  
pp. 149-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Faizal ◽  
Rahman Saidur ◽  
Saad Mekhilef ◽  
M Faizal
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Size Reduction ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy ◽  
Absorbing Medium ◽  
Renewable Source ◽  
Original Size ◽  
Flat Plate Solar Collector

The source of fossil fuel is decreasing. The price increased rapidly. Population and demand of energy increased significantly over the years. Carbon pollution and global warming are becoming major issues. The best way to overcome this problem is by changing to renewable source of energy. One of it is solar thermal energy. However, a solar technology is currently still expensive, low in efficiency and takes up a lot of space. Nanofluid is recognized as a solution to overcome this problem. Due to the high thermal conductivity of nanofluids, the thermal efficiency of a solar collector can be increased and thus decreasing the size of the system. This paper analyzes the efficiency of using the Al2O3nanofluid as absorbing medium in flat-plate solar collector and estimated the potential of size reduction. When applying the same output temperature of Al2O3nanofluid as with water, it can be observed that the collectors size can be reduced up to 24% of its original size.

Phase Change Material For Solar Thermal Energy Storage In Buildings: Numerical Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zineb Bouhssine ◽  
Mostafa Najam ◽  
Mustapha El Alami
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Melting Temperature ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Concrete Slab ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Coolant Fluid ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy

Thermal storage plays a major role in a wide variety of industrial, commercial, and residential applications when there is a mismatch between the offer and the claim of energy. In this paper, we study numerically the contribution of phase change materials (PCMs) for solar thermal energy storage (TES) in buildings. The studied configuration is a plane solar collector incorporating a PCM layer and coupled to a concrete slab (a roof of a building). The study is conducted for Casablanca (Morocco) meteorological conditions. Several simulations were performed to optimize the melting temperature and the PCM layer thickness. The results show that PCM imposes, on the roof, a temperature close to its melting temperature. The choice of a melting temperature Tmelt = 22 °C (the local indoor temperature Tc is fixed as Tc = 22 °C) limits the losses through the concrete slab, considerably. This last seems to be, nearly, adiabatic, in this case. Also, the energy released by PCM solidification, overnight, increases the outlet temperature of the coolant fluid to 35 °C and the useful flux to 80 W/m2, increasing the efficiency of the solar collector by night. The PCM functioned both as an energy storage material for the stabilization of the coolant fluid temperature and as an insulating material for the building.

scholarly journals 2E (Energy and Exergy) Analysis of ET-CPC Solar Collector Integrated with Different Configuration of Thermal Storage System

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sathiya Satchi Christopher ◽  
Vellaisamy Kumaresan
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy ◽  
Water Heating ◽  
Efficient Operation

Abstract The intermittency of solar thermal energy warrants the integration/utilization of thermal energy storage system for efficient operation. Effective utilization of solar water heating (SWH) system can reduce nearly 70 - 90 % of the energy cost incurred for water heating applications. In this study, a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) solar collector is paired with thermal energy storage (TES) system for the improvement of thermal performance of the collector through enhanced heat transfer rate and minimizing the heat losses. Effects of varying mass flow rate and different arrangement of phase change materials (PCMs) on the performance of the CPC solar collector are investigated. A study of the influence of PCMs configurations in TES systems viz three PCMs (Case 1) and five PCMs (Case 2) on the energy efficiency, exergy efficiency and overall loss coefficient of the solar collector and TES system is made and compared with sensible TES system. The results show the attainment of maximum thermal efficiency of 70 % for ‘Case 2’. Comparison with ‘Case 1’, ‘Case 2’ exhibited a reduction heat loss of 4 % from the TES system. Results of exergy study reveal a superior performance in Case 2 over other configurations.

ANALYSIS OF BLACK CHROME COATED COPPER ABSORBER PLATE IN FLAT PLATE SOLAR COLLECTOR

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAMESH C ◽  
SEKAR M
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Absorber Plate ◽  
Flat Plate Solar Collector

The depletion of conventional energy source, the need for unconventional energy is focused on solar energy as it is avail plentiful. Converting the solar energy in to thermal energy is the effective way of utilization of solar energy rather the conversion of electrical energy. This paper compared the behavior of solar collector at 30º and 45º angles with black chrome coated absorber plate without and with glass reflectors. In the view of performance enhancement of the collector, the reflector was adjusted to maximize the incident ray for every hour. It is found that the collector fixed at 30º with ground heats the water better and again the performance can be increased by the reflector.

Performance Simulation of Solar-Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Juan ◽  
Li Dashu ◽  
Li Zhichuan ◽  
Xiao Gang ◽  
Zhang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Performance Simulation ◽  
Comprehensive Utilization ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy ◽  
Net Power Output

Compared to the restriction of intermittency of solar power generation, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is not only 24/7 base-load, but also comprehensive utilization of fresh water production, air-conditioning, mariculture etc. However, limited temperature difference between warm surface seawater and the cold deep seawater is a crucial factor that restricts the thermal efficiency of OTEC. But today, with the appliance of solar collector in OTEC net power output and the net thermal efficiency have been significantly improved. In this study theoretical analysis and performance simulation of 1MW solar-ocean thermal energy conversion (SOTEC) in South China Sea area is conducted. Net power output and net thermal efficiency of SOTEC with solar-boosted temperature of 20K and OTEC under the condition of weather conditions in South China Sea are compared and analyzed. The results show that the net power output and net thermal efficiency of SOTEC have been significantly improved by combining the solar collector. This study is practical for autonomous supply of islands and coastal areas, and instructive for the comprehensive utilization of renewable energy.

scholarly journals Performance Analysis of Water Heating System by Using Double Glazed Flat Plate Solar Water Heater

Teknomekanik ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Andika Putra ◽  
Arwizet K ◽  
Yolli Fernanda ◽  
Delima Yanti Sari
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Heating Process ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Pipe Material ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy ◽  
Water Heating

Nowadays, the use of solar energy is incredibly important to be increased since solar energy is renewable energy and also does not cause pollution. To harness solar energy, a solar collector device is needed to convert solar energy into heat energy. This study aimed to analyze the heat transfer in the flat plate solar collector which is used as a source of thermal energy in the water heating process for bathing. A double-glazed solar collector was used to absorb solar thermal energy and then transferred it to a water pipe. The pipe material used copper which has a very high conductivity value with an outer diameter of 15.7 mm. The plate collector used aluminium plates because they have high thermal conductivity. The dimensions of the collector frame were 150 cm long, 80 cm wide and 80 cm high. The collector frame was made of wood and covered with an insulator from coconut fibre with a thickness of 8 cm, with a tilt angle of 15˚. Based on the experimental process, the collector temperature was taken by using a thermocouple in order to heat the water which the inlet temperature in a bucket was 28˚C and the outlet water temperature during the experiment was 40˚C.

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