Effect of Changing Atmospheric and Operating Conditions on the Thermal Stresses in PV Modules

Author(s):  
M. U. Siddiqui ◽  
A. F. M. Arif

Photovoltaic (PV) technology provides a direct method to convert solar energy into electricity. In recent years, the use of PV systems has increased greatly with many applications of PV devices in systems as small as battery chargers to large scale electricity generation systems and satellite power systems. An important factor that influences the reliability of photovoltaic modules is their ability to withstand high thermal stresses which develop in PV modules due to the different coefficients of thermal expansion of the different module materials. PV modules also experience thermal cycles which can lead to failure of the module. In the present work, three dimensional numerical thermal and structural models of a PV module were developed and sequentially coupled together to calculate the temperature distribution in the PV module and the thermal stresses developing in it. The model is also capable of simulating PV module cooling. Using the model, a study was conducted to evaluate the thermal and structural performance of the module with and without cooling and the variation in thermal stress magnitudes with changing environmental conditions (solar radiation and ambient temperature) and operating conditions (heat exchanger inlet temperature and velocity).

Author(s):  
Valery Ponyavin ◽  
Taha Mohamed ◽  
Mohamed Trabia ◽  
Yitung Chen ◽  
Anthony E. Hechanova

Ceramics are suitable for use in high temperature applications as well as corrosive environment. These characteristics were the reason behind selection silicone carbide for a high temperature heat exchanger and chemical decomposer, which is a part of the Sulphur-Iodine (SI) thermo-chemical cycle. The heat exchanger is expected to operate in the range of 950°C. The proposed design is manufactured using fused ceramic layers that allow creation of micro-channels with dimensions below one millimeter. A proper design of the heat exchanges requires considering possibilities of failure due to stresses under both steady state and transient conditions. Temperature gradients within the heat exchanger ceramic components induce thermal stresses that dominate other stresses. A three-dimensional computational model is developed to investigate the fluid flow, heat transfer and stresses in the decomposer. Temperature distribution in the solid is imported to finite element software and used with pressure loads for stress analysis. The stress results are used to calculate probability of failure based on Weibull failure criteria. Earlier analysis showed that stress results at steady state operating conditions are satisfactory. The focus of this paper is to consider stresses that are induced during transient scenarios. In particular, the cases of startup and shutdown of the heat exchanger are considered. The paper presents an evaluation of the stresses in these two cases.


Author(s):  
Si Young Lee ◽  
Robert A. Dimenna ◽  
Richard A. Leishear ◽  
David B. Stefanko

Flow evolution models were developed to evaluate the performance of the new advanced design mixer pump (ADMP) for sludge mixing and removal operations in one of the large-scale Savannah River Site (SRS) waste tanks, Tank 18. This paper is the first in a series of four that describe the computational model and its validation, the experiment facility and the flow measurements used to provide the validation data, the extension of the computational results to real tank conditions through the use of existing sludge suspension data, and finally, the sludge removal results from actual Tank 18 operations using the new ADMP. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach was used to simulate the sludge removal operations. The models employed a three-dimensional representation of the tank with a two-equation turbulence model, since this approach was verified by both test and literature data. The discharge of the ADMP was modeled as oppositely directed hydraulic jets submerged at the center of the 85-ft diameter tank, with pump suction taken from below. The calculations were based on prototypic tank geometry and nominal operating conditions. In the analysis, the magnitude of the local velocity was used as a measure of slurrying and suspension capability. The computational results showed that normal operations in Tank 18 with the ADMP mixer and a 70-in liquid level would provide adequate sludge removal in most regions of the tank. The exception was the region within about 1.2 ft of the tank wall, based on an historical minimum velocity required to suspend sludge. Sensitivity results showed that a higher tank liquid level and a lower elevation of pump nozzle would result in better performance in suspending and removing the sludge. These results were consistent with experimental observations.


Author(s):  
Sayuri D. Yapa ◽  
Christopher J. Elkins ◽  
John K. Eaton

Hot streaks from the combustor and cool streaks from nozzle vane film cooling impose strong inlet temperature variations on high pressure turbine blades, which can lead to local hot or cold spots, high thermal stresses, and fatigue failures. Furthermore, the complex three dimensional flows around the vane may act to concentrate cool or hot fluid exiting the vane row. In order to optimize the cooling design of the turbine blades, the designer must be able to predict the temperature distribution entering the turbine rotor. Therefore, it is important to understand and predict how combustor hot streaks are dispersed as they pass through the vane row. The goal of the present work is to provide detailed three dimensional velocity and temperature data for simulated combustor hot streaks developing through a film cooled vane cascade using the Magnetic Resonance Velocity/Concentration experimental technique. The measurements show that the hot streaks are thinned by acceleration through the vane cascade and diffused by turbulence. The turbulent diffusivity is suppressed by acceleration and leaves significant temperature nonuniformity in the vane wake.


Author(s):  
Takahiro Kinoshita ◽  
Takashi Kawakami ◽  
Tatsuhiro Hori ◽  
Keiji Matsumoto ◽  
Sayuri Kohara ◽  
...  

Thermal conduction and mechanical strength around TSV (Through Silicon Via) structures of 3D SiP (Three Dimensional System in Package) were discussed both cases of with and without void in TSV by using a large scale simulator based on FEM, ADVENTURECluster® for ensuring the reliability of 3D SiP. In the results, the thermal performance that was required in 3D SiP was estimated to ensure the reliability. Simulations for thermal stresses around TSV structure in 3D SiP under thermal cycle condition due to power ON/OFF were carried out. In case that void was not in TSV, stresses in TSV were close to hydrostatic pressure and the magnitude of the equivalent stress was lower than the yield stress of copper. However, the level of the stresses, especially in Si chips, should not be negligible in inducing damages to TSVs and Si single crystals. In case that void was in TSV, stress was concentrated around void in TSV and the magnitude of the equivalent stress was lower than the yield stress of copper. The level of stresses applied to Si chip was slightly reduced due to void in TSV. However, its level should not be negligible in inducing damages to TSVs and Si single crystals.


2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afroza Nahar ◽  
M. Hasanuzzaman ◽  
N. A. Rahim

Performance of photovoltaic (PV) module decreases significantly with increasing cell temperature due to its overheating. Photovoltaic thermal (PVT) is an optimized technology that facilitates effective removal and utilization of this excess heat leading to enhanced electrical performance. In this article, a 3D numerical model has been developed and analyzed to investigate the PVT performance with a new pancake-shaped flow channel design. This flow channel is attached directly to the backside of PV module by using thermal paste. The governing equations are solved numerically by using Galerkin's weighted residual finite-element method (FEM), which has been developed using COMSOL Multiphysics® software. The numerical results show that the cell temperature reduces on an average 42 °C, and the electrical efficiency and output power increase by 2% and 20 W, respectively, for both aluminum and copper channels with an increase in inlet velocity from 0.0009 to 0.05 m/s. On the other hand, overall efficiency of the PVT system drops about 13% in both cases as the inlet temperature increases from 20 °C to 40 °C. Cell temperature is found to increase approximately by 5.4 °C and 9.2 °C for every 100 W/m2 increase in irradiation level of the PV module with and without cooling system, respectively. Regarding flow channel material, it has been observed that use of either copper or aluminum produces almost similar performance of the PVT module.


1984 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 692-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Paterson

An experimental investigation of the three-dimensional flow field within a multilobed model turbofan forced-mixer nozzle was conducted. The objective of the study was to provide detailed velocity and thermodynamic state variable data for use in assessing the accuracy and assisting the further development of computational procedures for predicting the flow field within mixer nozzles. Velocity and temperature data suggested that the nozzle mixing process was dominated by large-scale secondary circulations that were associated with strong radial velocities observed near the lobe exit plane. Flow field similarity for variable inlet temperature conditions was also observed, although unanticipated.


1988 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. D. Joslyn ◽  
R. P. Dring

An experimental technique to study mixing in a turbine stage is demonstrated. An axisymmetric, radial temperature profile at the inlet to the first stator of a large-scale, low-speed, single-stage, axial flow turbine model is simulated with a radial trace gas concentration distribution. Mixing or redistribution of the inlet profile by three-dimensional aerodynamic mechanisms (other than temperature-driven mechanisms) is determined from trace gas concentration measurements made in both the stationary and rotating frames of reference at various locations through the turbine. The trace gas concentration contours generated are consistent with flow pitch angle measurements made downstream of the first stator and with surface flow visualization on the rotor airfoil and the hub endwall. It is demonstrated that this trace gas technique is well suited to quantify many aspects of the redistribution and diffusion of an inlet temperature profile as it is convected through a turbine stage.


2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Benson ◽  
Sayuri D. Yapa ◽  
Chris Elkins ◽  
John K. Eaton

Magnetic resonance imaging experiments have provided the three-dimensional mean concentration and three component mean velocity field for a typical trailing edge film-cooling cutback geometry built into a conventional uncambered airfoil. This geometry is typical of modern aircraft engines and includes three dimensional slot jets separated by tapered lands. Previous analysis of these data identified the critical mean flow structures that contribute to rapid mixing and low effectiveness in the fully turbulent flow. Three new trailing edge geometries were designed to modify the large scale mean flow structures responsible for surface effectiveness degradation. One modification called the Dolphin Nose attempted to weaken strong vortex flows by reducing three dimensionality near the slot breakout. This design changed the flow structure but resulted in minimal improvement in the surface effectiveness. Two other designs called the Shield and Rounded Shield changed the land planform and added an overhanging land edge while maintaining the same breakout surface. These designs substantially modified the vortex structure and improved the surface effectiveness by as much as 30%. Improvements included superior coolant uniformity on the breakout surface which reduces potential thermal stresses. The utilization of the time averaged data from combined magnetic resonance velocimetry (MRV) and concentration (MRC) experiments for designing improved trailing edge breakout film cooling is demonstrated.


Author(s):  
Mohd Afzanizam Mohd Rosli ◽  
Irfan Alias Farhan Latif ◽  
Muhammad Zaid Nawam ◽  
Mohd Noor Asril Saadun ◽  
Hasila Jarimi ◽  
...  

The temperature distribution across the photovoltaic (PV) module in most cases is not uniform, leading to regions of hotspots. The cells in these regions perform less efficiently, leading to an overall lower PV module efficiency. They can also be permanently damaged due to high thermal stresses. To enable the high-efficiency operation and a longer lifetime of the PV module, the temperatures must not fluctuate wildly across the PV module. In this study, a custom absorber is designed based on literature to provide a more even temperature distribution across the PV module. This design is two standard sets of spiral absorbers connected. This design is relatively less complicated for this reason and it allows room for adjusting the pipe spacing without much complication. The absorber design is tested via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation using ANSYS Fluent 19.2, and the simulation model is validated by an experimental study with the highest percentage error of 9.44%. The custom and the serpentine absorber utilized in the experiment are simulated under the same operating conditions having water as the working fluid. The custom absorber design is found to have a more uniform temperature distribution on more areas of the PV module as compared to the absorber design utilized in the experiment, which leads to a lower average surface temperature of the PV module. This results in an increase in thermal and electrical efficiency of the PV module by 3.21% and 0.65%, respectively.


The augmented demand for the power across the globe has resulted in the growth of non-conventional sources of energy as an appendage to the conventional sources. The large scale grid connected wind power systems have become one of the better alternatives among renewable energy based power generation methods. However the intermittency of wind power is one of the major limitations in the effective harvesting of energy leading to its reduced worth. Several methods are proposed and implemented to overcome the issue of wind power intermittency. In this paper a coordinated approach between wind and dispatchable and geographically proximal hydro power station is proposed to enhance the value of wind power. A MATLAB SIMULINK model of a wind power station is developed. Three potential sites with the conducive operating conditions for the implementation of the proposed scheme have been considered for the analysis. The results obtained are correlated to the enhanced worth of wind power.


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