Experimental study on the performance of enhanced air-cooled photovoltaic thermal energy-supplied manure treatment technology

Abstract

Implementing renewable energy technologies for manure treatment to reduce energy consumption and environmental damage is steadily becoming more prevalent. In this work, an air-cooled photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) device was enhanced and constructed to provide energy for bio-composting manure treatment. Experiments were conducted to analyze the performance data such as air supply temperature, energy and exergy efficiency, and mass flow rate. When calculating the mass flow rate of the PV/T-supplied manure treatment technology, factors such as exergy efficiency, and hot air temperature must be considered. The results of the study indicate that the thermal performance of the developed equipment is adequate for manure composting treatment. The thermal exergy efficiencies of the V2, V3, and V4 cases are approximately 1/3 greater than the thermal exergy efficiency of the V1 case, indicating a considerable change in thermal efficiency. The mass flow rate of 0.020 kg/s is determined to be a more suitable set value. Its total exergy efficiency can reach 46.79%, and the apparatus could heat up to 43.63 kg/m2 of compost to begin the bio-composting process. This study lays the groundwork for future research and deployment of PV/T-powered manure treatment devices.