Performance analysis of a photovoltaic thermal system with ternary nanofluids cooling and dual phase change materials
Photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) systems offer a sustainable solution for electricity generation and energy conservation in developing countries. However, high operating temperatures can significantly reduce their efficiency. This study investigates the thermal performance of a PV/T system incorporating...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Case Studies in Thermal Engineering |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25003831 |
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| author | Lin Yuanjian Abid A. Memon Hou Enran Mohamed R. Ali Amsalu Fenta |
| author_facet | Lin Yuanjian Abid A. Memon Hou Enran Mohamed R. Ali Amsalu Fenta |
| author_sort | Lin Yuanjian |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) systems offer a sustainable solution for electricity generation and energy conservation in developing countries. However, high operating temperatures can significantly reduce their efficiency. This study investigates the thermal performance of a PV/T system incorporating a cooling flow channel to regulate temperature and enhance electrical output while utilizing excess heat for practical applications. The system comprises glass, polycrystalline silicon, an absorber, and a flow channel employing ternary and water-based nanofluids. Two phase change materials (PCMs), paraffin octadecane wax (C18H38) and sodium sulfate decahydrate (Na2SO4·10H2O), are embedded in the channel to enhance thermal regulation. Numerical simulations are conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0, employing a conjugate heat transfer approach to solve the continuity, momentum, and energy equations. The study considers steady, laminar, and Newtonian flow conditions and evaluates system performance under varying heat flux levels. Key parameters include Reynolds number (50–200), nanoparticle volume fraction (1 %–15 %), latent heat of melting (240–260 J/g), and ambient temperatures in Sukkur, Pakistan. Results indicate that paraffin wax undergoes phase transitions more rapidly than sodium sulfate decahydrate, whereas Na2SO4·10H2O exhibits greater temperature variations due to higher inlet temperatures. Optimal thermal efficiency of 75.91 % is achieved at Re = 50, Tamb = 45 °C, and ϕ = 10 %. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4a5adc0e0dc94aabb9e08d42e3d16b82 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2214-157X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Studies in Thermal Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-4a5adc0e0dc94aabb9e08d42e3d16b822025-08-20T02:04:37ZengElsevierCase Studies in Thermal Engineering2214-157X2025-07-017110612310.1016/j.csite.2025.106123Performance analysis of a photovoltaic thermal system with ternary nanofluids cooling and dual phase change materialsLin Yuanjian0Abid A. Memon1Hou Enran2Mohamed R. Ali3Amsalu Fenta4Department of Mathematics, Wuxi Taihu University, Wuxi, 214063, China; Department of Mathematics, Nanchang Normal College of Applied Technology, Nanchang, 330108, ChinaDepartment of Mathematics, Basic Sciences and Humanities, Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur, 65200, Sindh, PakistanSchool of Mathematics, Huaibei Normal University, 235000, Huaibei, ChinaFaculty of Engineering and Technology, Future University in Egypt, New Cairo, 11835, EgyptDepartment of Physics, Mizan Tepi University, PO Box 121, Tepi, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.Photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) systems offer a sustainable solution for electricity generation and energy conservation in developing countries. However, high operating temperatures can significantly reduce their efficiency. This study investigates the thermal performance of a PV/T system incorporating a cooling flow channel to regulate temperature and enhance electrical output while utilizing excess heat for practical applications. The system comprises glass, polycrystalline silicon, an absorber, and a flow channel employing ternary and water-based nanofluids. Two phase change materials (PCMs), paraffin octadecane wax (C18H38) and sodium sulfate decahydrate (Na2SO4·10H2O), are embedded in the channel to enhance thermal regulation. Numerical simulations are conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0, employing a conjugate heat transfer approach to solve the continuity, momentum, and energy equations. The study considers steady, laminar, and Newtonian flow conditions and evaluates system performance under varying heat flux levels. Key parameters include Reynolds number (50–200), nanoparticle volume fraction (1 %–15 %), latent heat of melting (240–260 J/g), and ambient temperatures in Sukkur, Pakistan. Results indicate that paraffin wax undergoes phase transitions more rapidly than sodium sulfate decahydrate, whereas Na2SO4·10H2O exhibits greater temperature variations due to higher inlet temperatures. Optimal thermal efficiency of 75.91 % is achieved at Re = 50, Tamb = 45 °C, and ϕ = 10 %.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25003831PCMthermal performanceElectrical performanceBlocksCOMSOL |
| spellingShingle | Lin Yuanjian Abid A. Memon Hou Enran Mohamed R. Ali Amsalu Fenta Performance analysis of a photovoltaic thermal system with ternary nanofluids cooling and dual phase change materials Case Studies in Thermal Engineering PCM thermal performance Electrical performance Blocks COMSOL |
| title | Performance analysis of a photovoltaic thermal system with ternary nanofluids cooling and dual phase change materials |
| title_full | Performance analysis of a photovoltaic thermal system with ternary nanofluids cooling and dual phase change materials |
| title_fullStr | Performance analysis of a photovoltaic thermal system with ternary nanofluids cooling and dual phase change materials |
| title_full_unstemmed | Performance analysis of a photovoltaic thermal system with ternary nanofluids cooling and dual phase change materials |
| title_short | Performance analysis of a photovoltaic thermal system with ternary nanofluids cooling and dual phase change materials |
| title_sort | performance analysis of a photovoltaic thermal system with ternary nanofluids cooling and dual phase change materials |
| topic | PCM thermal performance Electrical performance Blocks COMSOL |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25003831 |
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