Performance Evaluation of a New Type of Combined Photovoltaic–Thermal Solar Collector

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianpiero Colangelo ◽  
Danilo Romano ◽  
Giuseppe Marco Tina
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Analysis ◽  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
High Water ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
New Type ◽  
Panel Design

A thermal analysis of a new photovoltaic–thermal (PV–T) solar panel design, called thermal electric solar panel integration (TESPI), has been performed using radtherm thermoanalitics software. Combinations of different water flow rates and different panel configurations have been analyzed to determine which one produces best performance in terms of optimal PV efficiency and available thermal energy. Higher total panel efficiencies (thermal and electrical) were achieved in configurations utilizing the highest water flow rates, independently from the chosen configuration. However, high water flow rates translated into minimal net temperature differences between the PV/T panel inlet and outlet.

Performance Evaluation of an Asymmetric Hybrid Solar Collector: Effect of Nanofluids on the Electrical and Thermal Energy Production

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Nitsas ◽  
I. P. Koronaki ◽  
A. S. Kontos
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Calculated Data ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Asymmetric Hybrid ◽  
The Mediterranean

The scope of this work is the analysis of the electrical and thermal performance of an asymmetric hybrid solar collector PVT and the prospect of the installation of a system consisting of these collectors in the Mediterranean region. For the purpose of this work, the Solarus V11 PVT collector (readily available in our laboratory) was chosen and numerically modeled. The main asset of this collector is its asymmetric reflector that consists of a circular and a parabolic part leading to a maximum thermal energy production even in winter as the solar radiation is concentrated in the edge of the reflector rather than in the center of it. Using a software developed in Matlab, the calculated data are presented for both thermal and electrical energy and they are compared with the hot water and electrical energy requirements (per month) around the Mediterranean territory. Furthermore, a parametric study is conducted in order to investigate the effect of the mass flow rate and the PVT array configuration on the thermal and electrical production, as well as the efficiency of the solar cells of the system. Moreover, in order to increase the PV cell efficiency, nanofluids, i.e. mixtures of nanometer size particles well-dispersed in a base fluid, are proposed as heat transfer fluids and the analysis for the performance evaluation is conducted for different nanoparticle loadings.

Performance Evaluation of a Valveless Micropump Considering Electro-Structural-Fluid Interaction

2007 ◽  
Vol 345-346 ◽  
pp. 749-752
Author(s):  
Kwang Chul Lee ◽  
Nam Seo Goo
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Comsol Multiphysics ◽  
Structural Domain ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Valveless Micropump ◽  
Fluid Interaction

In this paper, the pumping performance of a piezoelectric micropump is simulated with commercial finite element analysis (FEA) software COMSOL Multiphysics 3.2a. The micropump is composed of a 4-layer piezo-composite actuator (LIPCA), a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) pump chamber, and two diffusers. The piezoelectric domain, structural domain and fluid domain are coupled in the simulation. Water flow rates are numerically predicted for geometric parameters of the micropump. Based on this study, the micropump is optimally designed to obtain its better pumping performance.

PENGARUH SUSUNAN PIPA LALUAN TERHADAP PEMANFAATAN KALOR PADA KOLEKTOR SURYA PELAT DATAR ABSORBER GRANITE

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Made Wirawan ◽  
M. Mirmanto ◽  
I Gede Bawa Susana ◽  
Rudy Sutanto
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Tube Formation ◽  
Tube Flow ◽  
Isolation System ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Heat Utilization ◽  
Inlet Tube

The collector of solar energy can be used for heating fluidssuch as liquid or gas. The  optimize  absorbtion of solar energy depends on the collectordimention and component, e.g.the width, body of collector, tube formation, cover and isolation system. This research usesa granite absorber with a variation of tube formations and water flow rates. The aim of the research is tofind out the optimal tube formation. To achieve the aim of the research,theexperiments of water heating usingthree collectorswith a granite absorber 80 Cm x 100 Cm and three way tube formatians have been done.The variation of water flow rates had beenperformed toinvestigate the maximal performance. The water flow rates used were200, 250 and 300 cc/minute.The result of research achieved value of heat utilization of solar collector influenced by: arrangement inlet tube, flow rates of water and time. The maksimal heat utilization occur at parallel 7 for each flow rate. The flow rate 300 cc/minute show maximal heat utilization.

Modelling of a flat-plate solar collector using artificial neural networks for different working fluid (water) flow rates

Solar Energy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 188 ◽  
pp. 1320-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.J. Diez ◽  
L.M. Navas-Gracia ◽  
A. Martínez-Rodríguez ◽  
A. Correa-Guimaraes ◽  
L. Chico-Santamarta
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Artificial Neural Networks ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Artificial Neural ◽  
Flat Plate Solar Collector

scholarly journals London’s burning: integrating water flow rates and building types into fire risk maps

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Ronan ◽  
Richard Teeuw
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Vulnerability ◽  
Urban Fire ◽  
Vulnerability Maps ◽  
New Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore fire risk and preparedness, with regard to water flow rates and building types in London, focusing on Southall district. Design/methodology/approach – A land use survey was carried out to identify water requirements for firefighting across the study area. Local fire hydrant flow rates were analysed, using measurements taken during 2013 and archive data held by the London Fire Brigade (LFB). QGIS was used to explore relationships between fire hydrant flow rates, urban fire risk and socio-economic vulnerability data held by the LFB. Findings – A new type of map, which includes data on water flow rates and building types, was created using QGIS and applied to Southall district, resulting in a map showing Combined Vulnerability to fires. Inadequate fire hydrant water supply was found across many parts of the borough. Practical implications – This new approach to the evaluation and mapping of urban fire risk could be applied in other cities, to assess problems with water supply and the firefighting water flow requirements of various building types. The methodology can thus assist with adaptations to urban fire resource allocation, tactics, planning and preparedness. Social implications – When socio-economic data are also available, this Geographical Information System-based methodology becomes very useful for assessing fire risk and developing strategies for preparedness and response. Originality/value – This is the first time that London’s fire hydrant water pressures have been mapped and linked with socio-economic vulnerability maps, to produce a Combined Vulnerability map for assessing fire risk.

Reduced Model for a Thermal Analysis of a Flat Plate Solar Collector With Thermal Energy Storage Using Phase Change Material (PCM)

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio Carmona ◽  
Gabriel Caicedo ◽  
Humberto Gómez Vega ◽  
Antonio Bula
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Analysis ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Sensible Heat ◽  
Simplified Models ◽  
Flat Plate Solar Collector

In conventional solar water heaters, the thermal energy storage is accomplished by increasing the sensible heat in a fluid. Therefore, the accumulation capacity of sensible heat is proportional to the mass storage and the increase of temperature, so that an increase in the requirements involves a bigger tank volume. Phase change materials (PCM) stored energy at constant temperature (or at least in a fairly narrow range of temperature) while the phase change is produced, they are presented as an alternative to compensate the solar heat supply periods and the thermal demand with a better heat accumulation per volume unit. In contrast, these systems require more complicated thermal analysis and designs than the traditional systems by sensible heat with a single phase. The selection of PCM, its content and location on the device will have a determining effect on the overall performance of the solar collector. This implies that the heat exchanger must be designed for each specific application. Currently, there are no commercial devices for heating water by solar energy using thermal accumulation with PCM. However, preliminary studies in lab scale have shown significant increases in efficiencies and supply capacity. Several authors have been performed experimental and numerical studies in solar collectors including PCM technology, but, due to the complexity of the phenomena and the high consumptions of resources for both approaches, it has not been possible to evaluate different configurations that lead to optimized designs for selection, location and amount of PCM. This fact shows the need to develop simplified models that consider the main physical phenomena in the operation, in order to support the experimental and numerical techniques to determine the comprehensive thermal behavior. This kind of models can be used to estimate the performance for different configurations and boundary conditions in a fast way, to make possible in a posterior stage a detailed evaluation with numerical analysis or an experimental technique. In this paper, a simplified comprehensive model for assessing thermal performance of a flat-plate solar collector with PCM is presented with incorporation of specialized semi-empirical correlations. The model takes into account the main thermodynamic and heat transfer processes in the device, including the internal and external convection effects, conduction, solar radiation analysis, radiation, losses and interactions between surfaces, material solid-liquid phase change and conjugated problems in gas-liquid-solid zones. Due to the numerous existing design alternatives, consideration of an excessive number of options in the final design can lead to long development times and process inefficiencies. Therefore, a methodology of design that includes fast calculations of the main thermal parameters is highly regarded, since this can reduce the number of study cases and thus obtain optimal configurations from the simplified models. The performance of the reduced model, including a sensibility analysis of several input data, is compared qualitatively with results obtained in a traditional collector for a typical cycle available in bibliography. Integrated simplified models are developed to perform a coarse preliminary design of flat solar collectors with incorporation of PCM technology, and thus serve as a pre-evaluator of the different configurations.

The Magnitude of the Thermal Energy Stored in a Building Wall Adjacent to an Unglazed Transpired Solar Collector

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Moaveni ◽  
Patrick A. Tebbe ◽  
Louis Schwartzkopf ◽  
Joseph Dobmeier ◽  
Joseph Gehrke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Hvac Systems ◽  
Volume Flow ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
The Past ◽  
Building Wall ◽  
Collector Efficiency ◽  
Metal Wall

In this paper, we will present a method for estimating the stored thermal energy in a building wall that is adjacent to an unglazed transpired collector. We also discuss how this value should be incorporated in the collector efficiency calculations. An unglazed transpired collector is made of a relatively thin, dark, perforated metal wall that is installed approximately 14 inches (35.5 cm) away from a south facing building wall to create an enclosed plenum. Typically, the outside air is drawn into the collector by fans that are located on the top of the collector. These types of solar collectors are used to preheat the intake air using solar energy before the air enters existing HVAC systems. They are generally used in situations and buildings where large ventilation volume flow rates are required. Most of the studies related to unglazed transpired collectors deal with estimation of air temperature rise due to solar gain and recaptured heat loss from the adjoining building wall. In the past, studies have neglected the amount of thermal energy that is stored in the building wall. However, as shown in this study, the stored thermal energy is of significant amount, and if incorporated correctly in the collector efficiency calculations, it would lead to higher efficiency values.

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