Abstract
A Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) Collector is a device that produces electricity and simultaneously uses a heat source transmitted to back side of the Photovoltaic (PV). The PVT collector is categorized into liquid-type and air-type according to the heating medium. As an advantage, air-type PVT system is easy to manage and can be directly used for heating purposes. The performance of air-type PVT collector is determined by various factors, such as the height of air gap and air flow path (by baffles) in the collector. Baffles are installed in the PVT collector to improve the thermal performance of the collector by generating turbulence. However, the air flow that affects the performance of the PVT collector can vary depending on the number and placement of the baffles. Thus, the flow design using baffles in the collector is important. In this study, the performance of an air-type PVT collector due to the arrangement of triangular baffles and air gap height at the back of the PV module is analyzed through a simulation program. For this purpose, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed with an NX program to compare and analyze the optimum conditions to improve the performance of the collector.
Highlights
The use of sustainable energy is increasing, and among renewable energy systems, solar energy and wind power systems are widely used
Solar energy system is classified into a PV system, a solar thermal system, and a photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) system, and it operates by converting solar energy into electricity and thermal energy
To confirm the impact of the arrangement of triangular shaped baffles fitted in an air-type PVT collector, the airflow characteristics in the collector was analyzed through a validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model in this study
Summary
The use of sustainable energy is increasing, and among renewable energy systems, solar energy and wind power systems are widely used. Previous studies focused on improving the collector’s own thermal and electrical efficiency through design, simulation, modeling and experimentation of air-type PVT collectors. In the studies by Promthaisong et al [12], triangular ribs were applied to the thermal absorber plate and analyzed in the Reynolds number range of 3000–20,000. In the studies by Bhagoria et al [14], an air heater with a wedge (triangle) type baffle was designed, and the heat transfer and friction coefficients were analyzed through experiments. The application of a triangular baffle in an air-type PVT collector improves the heat transfer performance. This effect is mainly caused by the generation of a vortex in the air layer by increase of the Nusselt and Reynolds numbers. TThhee iinnppuutt vvaalluueessoofflalateteraral lspsapcaicnigng(W(W) a)nadnldonlognitguidtuindailnsaplascpinagci(nHg1(,HH12,)Hof2t)hoefbtahffle eb,awffhleic, hwahfficehct atfhfeecbtatfflheebtahfeflremtahlerpmerafloprmerafonrcme,aanrcee,parreesepnrteesdenintedTaibnleTa1b. lTeo1.aTdojuasdt jtuhset pthlaecpelmaceenmt eonf tboaffflbeasffilnesthine tchoellceocltloerc,ttohrr,etehpreaerapmareatmerestweresrewseerte: sWet:(6W2, (8622.5, ,8124.54, m14m4 )m, Hm1),(H0,147(0m, 4m7)manmd) Han2d(8H3,21(3803,, 117360.,31m76m.3). mInma)d. dInitiaodnd, aititoonta, laotfo1t0alcoafse1s0wcaerseessiwmeurleatseimd aunladtecdomanpdarceodm, ipnacrluedd,iningcalurdefienrgenacreetfoeraenPcVeTtocoallePcVtoTr cwoliltehcatobrawffliteh-fraebeaafifrlel-afyreeer. air layer
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