Using a Novel Phase Change Material-Based Cooling Tower for a Photovoltaic Module Cooling

2019 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasrin Abdollahi ◽  
Masoud Rahimi
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Material ◽  
Output Power ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Cooling Tower ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
Helical Tube ◽  
Change Material

Abstract This paper presents an experimental investigation on a hybrid solar system, including a water-based photovoltaic (PV) solar module and a phase change material (PCM)-based cooling tower, for cooling of the module. Elimination of heat from the PV module was performed by the use of water in the back of the panel. The PCM-based cooling tower was used as a postcooling system. A composite oil consisting of 82 wt% coconut oil and 18 wt% sunflower oil has been used as a novel phase change material in the cooling tower. The helical tubes of the cooling tower were fabricated in two different curvature ratios of 0.054 and 0.032. The experiments were performed at three different water flow rates of 11.71, 16.13, and 19.23 mL/s. The cooling performance evaluation was carried out using the average surface temperature and output power of the photovoltaic panel. The results indicated that diminution of the average PV surface temperature relative to the reference temperature was 34.01 and 32.36 °C at a water flow rate of 19.23 mL/s for the cooling systems with helical tube curvature ratios 0.054 and 0.032, respectively. Furthermore, the highest electric output power was achieved for the cooling system with a helical tube curvature ratio of 0.054 at a water flow rate of 19.23 mL/s.

Experimental Study on Thermal Characteristics of Finned Coil LHSU Using Paraffin as Phase Change Material

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guansheng Chen ◽  
Nanshuo Li ◽  
Huanhuan Xiang ◽  
Fan Li
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Material ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
Thermal Characteristics ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluid ◽  
Latent Heat Storage ◽  
Change Material

It is well known that attaching fins on the tubes surfaces can enhance the heat transfer into and out from the phase change materials (PCMs). This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the thermal characteristics of finned coil latent heat storage unit (LHSU) using paraffin as the phase change material (PCM). The paraffin LHSU is a rectangular cube consists of continuous horizontal multibended tubes attached vertical fins at the pitches of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mm that creates the heat transfer surface. The shell side along with the space around the tubes and fins is filled with the material RT54 allocated to store energy of water, which flows inside the tubes as heat transfer fluid (HTF). The measurement is carried out under four different water flow rates: 1.01, 1.30, 1.50, and 1.70 L/min in the charging and discharging process, respectively. The temperature of paraffin and water, charging and discharging wattage, and heat transfer coefficient are plotted in relation to the working time and water flow rate.

scholarly journals A numerical model and validation of phase change material integrated thermoelectric radiant cooling panel

2019 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 01001
Author(s):  
Hansol Lim ◽  
Hye-Jin Cho ◽  
Seong-Yong Cheon ◽  
Soo-Jin Lee ◽  
Jae-Weon Jeong
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Transfer Coefficient ◽  
Numerical Model ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Transfer Coefficient ◽  
Phase Change Material ◽  
Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient ◽  
Radiant Cooling ◽  
Change Material

A phase change material based radiant cooling panel with thermoelectric module (PCM-TERCP) is proposed in this study. It consists of two aluminium panels, and phase change materials (PCMs) sandwiched between the two panels. Thermoelectric modules (TEMs) are attached to one of the aluminium panels, and heat sinks are attached to the top side of TEMs. PCM-TERCP is a thermal energy storage concept equipment, in which TEMs freeze the PCM during the night whose melting temperature is 16○C. Therefore, the radiant cooling panel can maintain a surface temperature of 16◦C without the operation of TEM during the day. Furthermore, it is necessary to design the PCM-TERCP in a way that it can maintain the panel surface temperature during the targeted operating time. Therefore, the numerical model was developed using finite difference method to evaluate the thermal behaviour of PCM-TERCP. Experiments were also conducted to validate the performance of the developed model. Using the developed model, the possible operation time was investigated to determine the overall heat transfer coefficient required between radiant cooling panel and TEM. Consequently, the results showed that a overall heat transfer coefficient of 394 W/m2K is required to maintain the surface temperature between 16○C to 18○C for a 3 hours operation.

scholarly journals Experimental Investigation on Improvement of Wet Cooling Tower Efficiency with Diverse Packing Compaction Using ANN-PSO Algorithm

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 167
Author(s):  
Hasan Alimoradi ◽  
Madjid Soltani ◽  
Pooriya Shahali ◽  
Farshad Moradi Kashkooli ◽  
Razieh Larizadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Cooling Tower ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
Pso Algorithm ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Air Flow Rate

In this study, a numerical and empirical scheme for increasing cooling tower performance is developed by combining the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with a neural network and considering the packing’s compaction as an effective factor for higher accuracies. An experimental setup is used to analyze the effects of packing compaction on the performance. The neural network is optimized by the PSO algorithm in order to predict the precise temperature difference, efficiency, and outlet temperature, which are functions of air flow rate, water flow rate, inlet water temperature, inlet air temperature, inlet air relative humidity, and packing compaction. The effects of water flow rate, air flow rate, inlet water temperature, and packing compaction on the performance are examined. A new empirical model for the cooling tower performance and efficiency is also developed. Finally, the optimized performance conditions of the cooling tower are obtained by the presented correlations. The results reveal that cooling tower efficiency is increased by increasing the air flow rate, water flow rate, and packing compaction.

scholarly journals Application of Phase Change Material and Artificial Neural Networks for Smoothing of Heat Flux Fluctuations

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3531
Author(s):  
Tomasz Tietze ◽  
Piotr Szulc ◽  
Daniel Smykowski ◽  
Andrzej Sitka ◽  
Romuald Redzicki
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Heat Flux ◽  
Artificial Neural Networks ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Mass Flow Rate ◽  
Phase Change Material ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Smoothing Effect ◽  
Artificial Neural ◽  
Change Material

The paper presents an innovative method for smoothing fluctuations of heat flux, using the thermal energy storage unit (TES Unit) with phase change material and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) control. The research was carried out on a pilot large-scale installation, of which the main component was the TES Unit with a heat capacity of 500 MJ. The main challenge was to smooth the heat flux fluctuations, resulting from variable heat source operation. For this purpose, a molten salt phase change material was used, for which melting occurs at nearly constant temperature. To enhance the smoothing effect, a classical control system based on PID controllers was supported by ANN. The TES Unit was supplied with steam at a constant temperature and variable mass flow rate, while a discharging side was cooled with water at constant mass flow rate. It was indicated that the operation of the TES Unit in the phase change temperature range allows to smooth the heat flux fluctuations by 56%. The tests have also shown that the application of artificial neural networks increases the smoothing effect by 84%.

Analysis of Phase Change Energy Storage Material Selected Based on Rural Kang Body

2014 ◽  
Vol 521 ◽  
pp. 699-702
Author(s):  
Hui Xing Li ◽  
Hong Yu Ding ◽  
Guo Hui Feng ◽  
Xiao Xu Cai
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Phase Change Material ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
Material Selection ◽  
Energy Storage Materials ◽  
Storage Materials ◽  
Change Material

Improving rural living thermal environment and rural residential energy-saving effect has becomes a hot society issue. As to two main problems of rural kang which are poor regenerative performance and surface temperature uneven,combined with the characteristics of phase change energy storage technologies,phase change energy storage technology was used in kang body. Grasping the properties and characteristics of different types of energy storage materials,according to the requirement of the human body comfort temperature of the kang surface,selecting phase transition temperature of the phase change energy storage materials which should be put forward kang surface comfort temperature between 24 ~ 35°Cphase change heat storage is particularly important. Through the phase change material selection, get three types of phase change thermal storage materials which are suitable for rural kang, which provides analysis method and basic reference for the selection of the phase change material to kang body, enhanced the heat storage capacity of kang,protected kang surface temperature uniformity and improved the energy-saving efficiency of housing in rural areas.

A Thermally Actuated Microvalve for Irrigation in Precision Agriculture Applications

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaba Bamido ◽  
Ashok Thyagarajan ◽  
Nandan Shettigar ◽  
Debjyoti Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Material ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
Pressure Head ◽  
Large Field ◽  
Control Chamber ◽  
Thermally Actuated ◽  
Change Material ◽  
Control Layer

Abstract It is currently impossible to control irrigation at the level of a single plant. Even with drip irrigation, in which emitters could conceivably be placed on a plant-by-plant basis, there is no way to control the amount of water emitted according to the needs of the individual plants. If such a capability were practically available on farms, the result would be a step change in precision agriculture, such that the water input for every plant in a farm (or field) could be optimized. Therefore, we are exploring the possibility of developing a microfluidic system that could be controlled, capillary by capillary, to deliver the needed amount of water to individual plants in a large field. The principal aim is to show proof of concept by building and testing a prototype to produce data suggestive of the potential for multiple individually controllable microfluidic ports along a pressurized tube of water. Hence, in this study we perform experiments using a thermally actuated microvalve for irrigation in precision agriculture applications. The microvalve was manufactured using soft-lithography techniques, i.e., using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The active microvalve was designed for a “normally open” configuration and consists of two layers: (1) a flow layer and (2) a control layer. The flow layer contains the water inlet, outlet, and the flow channels for passage of water. The control layer contains an enclosure (chamber) which expands upon heating, which in turn deforms a thin membrane into the flow layer and thus impedes (or reduces) the water flow rate in the flow layer. Both layers are bonded together and then on a glass substrate. The bonded PDMS microvalve and glass assembly is heated to different temperatures for enabling the actuation of the microvalve. Experiments were performed using two microvalves of identical design but with two different actuation fluids. The first design used the control chamber filled the air while the second design used the control chamber containing a Phase Change Material (PCM). Experiments were performed to determine the reduction of water flowrate as the membrane deforms with increase in temperature. Water flows into the inlet of the microvalve from a syringe barrel, with a hydrostatic pressure head of about 0.62 [m]. The water from the microvalve outlet was collected in a 10[ml] pipette. The results show that the water flowrate decreased as the temperature at the base of the microvalve was increased. There was a 60% and 40% reduction in the water flowrate through the microvalve design with control chamber containing air and PCM (phase change material) respectively.

scholarly journals Optimization of a New Phase Change Material Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal Panel with The Active Cooling Technique Using Taguchi Method

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohong Liu ◽  
Yuekuan Zhou ◽  
Chun-Qing Li ◽  
Yaolin Lin ◽  
Wei Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Change ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Mass Flow Rate ◽  
Phase Change Material ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Cooling Water ◽  
Optimal Combination ◽  
Water Pipe ◽  
Cooling Water Temperature ◽  
Change Material

This paper investigates the energy performances of a hybrid system composed of a phase change materials-ventilated Trombe wall (PCMs-VTW) and a photovoltaic/thermal panel integrated with phase change material (PV/T-PCM). Equivalent overall output energy (QE) was proposed for energy performance evaluation regarding different energy forms, diversified conversions and hybrid thermal storages. This study focuses on parameters’ optimization of the PV/T-PCM system and parameters in the PCMs-VTW are kept optimal. Based on the experimentally validated numerical modelling, nine trial experiments have been conducted following Taguchi L9 (34) standard orthogonal array. The higher the better concept was implemented and the optimal combination of operating parameters was thereafter identified by using signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method. The results show that QE is highly dependent on the mass flow rate, followed by the diameter of active cooling water pipe. However, the inlet cooling water temperature and the thickness of PCM have limited influence on QE. The optimal combination of each factor was identified as B3A3C2D1 (mass flow rate of 1 kg/s, diameter of water pipe of 0.6 m, inlet cooling water temperature of 15 °C and the thickness of PCM of 20 mm) with the highest QE of 20,700 kWh.

Forced Flow and Convective Heat Transfer of Phase Change Material Slurry in the Heat Exchangers

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Zhang ◽  
Zhiwei Ma ◽  
Ruzhu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Material ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Tetrabutylammonium Bromide ◽  
Forced Flow ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Cooling Power ◽  
Change Material

The application of phase change material slurry to the refrigeration and air conditioning system opens a new way for energy saving and reduction of the quantity of refrigerant in the system, because it can serve as both the energy storage and transportation media in the secondary loop which is responsible for distributing the cooling power. In the present study, the experimental investigations of the forced flow and heat transfer characteristics of Tetrabutylammonium Bromide (TBAB in abbreviation) clathrate hydrate slurry (CHS) in both the plate heat exchanger (PHE) and double-tube heat exchanger (DHE) are carried out. It is found out that the pressure drop in the PHE is about 5–50 kPa at the flow rate of 2–14 L/min and is about 2–30 kPa at the flow rate of 3–14 L/min, which is nearly 2 times of that of the chilled water. The overall heat transfer coefficient is in the range of 2500–5000 W/(m2K) for TBAB CHS in the PHE and is about 1500–3500 W/(m2K) in the DHE, which are both higher than that of TBAB aqueous solution flow because of the involvement of the phase change of TBAB CHS.

scholarly journals Thermal and Structural Characterization of Geopolymer-Coated Polyurethane Foam—Phase Change Material Capsules/Geopolymer Concrete Composites

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Hassan ◽  
Yasir Rashid ◽  
Abdel-Hamid I. Mourad ◽  
Najif Ismail ◽  
Mohammad Shakeel Laghari
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Material ◽  
Polyurethane Foam ◽  
Temperature Drop ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Back Surface ◽  
Geopolymer Concrete ◽  
Change Material

The thermal and structural performance of geopolymer-coated polyurethane foam–phase change material capsules/geopolymer concrete composites was investigated. Three groups of concrete composites were prepared. The first was pure geopolymer (GP, control sample), the second was a GP/polyurethane foam (F) concrete composite, and the third was GP-coated polyurethane foam-phase change material capsules (GP-F-PCM)/GP concrete composites. Three different percentages of foam and GP-F-PCM capsules (25%, 50%, and 75%) were used in the composites. Thermal and U-value tests were conducted for all composites to characterize their peak temperature damping and insulation performances. The addition of 75% foam has been noticed to increase the back-surface temperature by 5.9 °C compared to the control sample. This may be attributed to the degradation of foam into low molecular constituents in the presence of a strong alkali. However, a temperature drop of 12.5 °C was achieved by incorporating 75% of GP-F-PCM capsules. The addition of 50% foam as a sandwich layer between two halves of a geopolymer concrete cube is also investigated. It was found that inserting a foam layer reduced the back-surface temperature by 3.3 °C, which is still less than the reduction in the case of GP-F-PCM capsules. The compressive strength was tested to check the integrity of the prepared concrete. At 28 days of aging, the compressive strength dropped from 65.2 MPa to 9.9 MPa with the addition of 75% GP-F-PCM capsules, which is still acceptable for certain building elements (e.g., nonloadbearing exterior walls). Generally, the best results were for the GP-F-PCM composite capsules as a heat insulator.

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