Photovoltaic Thermal Compound Parabolic Concentrator Collectors Research Articles

Energy matrices, enviro-economic and characteristic equation-based performance analyses of photovoltaic thermal compound parabolic concentrator (PVT-CPC) coupled solar still equipped with heat exchanger using SWCNTs and MWCNTs–water nanofluids

In this paper, effect of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)- water based nanofluid have been studied to examine the performance, long-term feasibility andenviro-enviro-economic analysis of partially covered series connected N- photovoltaic thermal (PVT)-compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) collectors coupled double slope solar still (DSSS) equipped with helically coiled heat exchanger (HE). Analysis have been carried out by developing thermal modelling of the proposed system. Instantaneous gain and loss efficiencies; annual thermal energy/exergy, and productivity – is investigated for optimized parameters of the proposed system in detail. Gain efficiency of the proposed system is found to be approximately 25-30% higher using CNT-NPs as compared to the system without using NPs. Annual thermal energy and exergy of CNTs, particularly SWCNTs water-based nanofluid (thermal energy- 2491.55 kWh, thermal exergy-894.67 kWh) have been found to be greater in comparison to basefluid (thermal energy -2185.76 kWh, thermal exergy-772.18 kWh). Also, results give higher value of CO2 mitigation using CNT-NPs both on the basis of energy (SWCNT-5.082t, MWCNT-4.787t) and exergy (SWCNT-1.83t, MWCNT-1.76t) respectively. SWCNT-NPs shows better performance due to their better TPPs; also PVT-CPC collector integrated DSSS equipped with HE is more viable practically.

Effect of Series and Parallel Combination of Photovoltaic Thermal Collectors on the Performances of Integrated Active Solar Still

Abstract In this article, an analytical expression for hourly yield, electrical energy and overall exergy of self-sustained solar still integrated with series and parallel combination of photovoltaic thermal-compound parabolic concentrator (PVT-CPC) collectors have been derived. The analysis is based on the basic energy balance equation of the proposed active solar distillation system. Based on numerical computations, it has been observed that the yield is maximum for all self-sustained PVT-CPC collectors are connected in series (case (i)). Furthermore, the daily yield and exergy increase with the increase of water depth unlike passive solar still for all collectors connected in series. However, overall exergy decreases with an increase of water depth for all collectors connected in parallel (case (iv)). For numerical simulations, the total numbers of self-sustained PVT-CPC collectors has been considered as constant. Furthermore, an effect of series and parallel combination of PVT-CPC collectors on daily yield, electrical energy, and overall exergy has also been carried out. Following additional conclusions have also been drawn: (i) The daily yield of the proposed active solar still decreases with the increase of packing factor of semi-transparent photovoltaic (PV) module for a given water depth and electrical energy and overall exergy increase with water depth for case (i) as expected due to low operating temperature range at higher water depth in the basin. (ii) The daily yield, electrical energy, and overall exergy increase with the increase of water depth for all combination of series and parallel arrangement of PVT-CPC collectors for a packing factor of 0.22 as per our expectation.

Thermal and electrical performance evaluation of photo-voltaic thermal compound parabolic concentrator integrated fixed dome biogas plant

Based on energy balance equation for photo-voltaic thermal compound parabolic concentrator (PVT-CPC) integrated bio-gas plant, an analytical expression for slurry, absorber plate and solar cell temperature has been derived in terms of design and climatic parameters. Effect of number of PVT-CPC collectors, packing factor, mass flow rate, etc. on optimum slurry temperature for Indian climatic condition has been studied. Further, the thermal and electrical analysis of proposed system has also been carried out. Based on numerical computation for cold climatic condition of Srinagar, India, and for given mass flow rate in collector loop, the slurry temperature increases significantly with increasing in number of collectors as expected. Packing factor of photo-voltaic thermal (PVT) system plays an important role in optimization of thermal and electrical power output for efficient operation of biogas plant.

Effect of number of collectors (N) on life cycle conversion efficiency of single slope solar desalination unit coupled with N identical partly covered compound parabolic concentrator collectors

In this paper, the effect of number of collectors on the life cycle conversion efficiency (LCCE) of a single slope solar desalination unit (SSSDU) coupled with N alike partly covered photovoltaic thermal compound parabolic concentrator collectors (PVTCPCs) has been communicated. The analysis has been carried out for an archetypal day of July and December for the atmospheric situation of New Delhi with the help of analytical program fed in MATLAB. The average value of energy output for type a weather condition has been taken to find the annual energy output. The input data required for the numerical computations have been taken from IMD, Pune, India. It has been observed that the value of LCCE increases with the raise in the value of number of collectors.

Exergo-economic, enviro-economic and productivity analyses of N identical evacuated tubular collectors integrated double slope solar still

In this paper, theoretical analysis of double slope solar still (DS) incorporated with N identical evacuated tubular collectors (N-ETC-DS) has been done on the basis of productivity, exergo-economic and enviro-economic parameters. The proposed system has been analyzed taking 4 categories of meteorological situations for each month of year for climatic condition of New Delhi. A comparison of proposed N-ETC-DS (case (i)) has been made on the basis of outcomes with outcomes of previously reported systems namely N identical photovoltaic thermal (PVT) flat plate collectors (FPCs) incorporated with DS (case (ii), N identical PVT compound parabolic concentrator collectors (CPCs) incorporated with DS (case (iii)) and conventional DS (case (iv)). It has been concluded that the proposed system gives best performance on the basis of values of annual productivity and production cost of potable water followed by case (ii) and case (iii). The cost of producing potable water is lower by 74.45%, 136.17% and 82.98% and the value of annual productivity is higher by 50.97%, 55.24% and 37.82% for case (i) than case (ii), case (iii) and case (iv) respectively.

Enhancement in Exergoeconomic and Enviroeconomic Parameters for Single Slope Solar Still by Incorporating N Identical Partially Covered Photovoltaic Collectors

This paper deals with the enhancement in exergoeconomic and enviroeconomic parameters for single-slope solar still by incorporating N identical partially covered photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors. Three cases: (a) single slope solar still incorporating N identical partially covered PVT flat plate collectors (FPC) (N-PVT-FPC-SS), (b) single slope solar still incorporating N identical partially covered PVT compound parabolic concentrator collectors (N-PVT-CPC-SS), and (c) conventional single slope solar still (CSSSS) have been taken to assess the improvement in various parameters. The various parameters have been computed at 0.14 m water depth, selected values of mass flow rate, and number of collectors considering four climatic conditions of New Delhi for each month of year. It has been concluded that N-PVT-FPC-SS performs best followed by N-PVT-CPC-SS and CSSSS on the basis of exergoeconomic and enviroeconomic parameters; however, CSSSS performs better than N-PVT-FPC-SS and N-PVT-CPC-SS on the basis of productivity measured in terms of ratio of monetary value of output and input. The kWh per unit cost based on exergoeconomic parameter is higher by 45.11% and 47.37%; environmental cost is higher by 65.74% and 90.02%; however, the output per unit input based on productivity is higher by 12.09% and lower by 26.83% for N-PVT-FPC-SS than N-PVT-CPC-SS and CSSSS, respectively.

Energy metrics analysis of N identical evacuated tubular collectors integrated single slope solar still

In this paper, theoretical analysis of single slope solar still (SS) integrated with N identical evacuated tubular collectors (N-ETC-SS) has been performed on the basis of energy metrics. The proposed system has been analyzed considering four categories of weather condition for each month of year for New Delhi climatic condition. Results of the proposed N-ETC-SS has been compared with SS integrated with N identical photovoltaic thermal (PVT) flat plate collectors (N-PVT-FPC-SS), SS integrated with N identical PVT compound parabolic concentrator collectors (N-PVT-CPC-SS) and conventional SS (CSS). It has been concluded that N-ETC-SS performs best on the basis of exergy based energy metrics followed by N-PVT-FPC-SS, CSS and N-PVT-CPC-SS. The value of exergy based energy payback time is lower by 40.38%, 102.78% and 166.58%; energy production factor is higher by 28.57%, 50.79% and 61.90% and life cycle conversion efficiency is higher by 44.83%, 65.52% and 75.86% for the proposed N-ETC-SS than N-PVT-FPC-SS, CSS and N-PVT-CPC-SS respectively.

Energy metrics analysis of N identical evacuated tubular collectors integrated double slope solar still

This paper deals with the theoretical analysis of double slope solar still (DS) integrated with N identical evacuated tubular collectors (N-ETC-DS) on the basis of energy metrics. The analysis has been done considering four types of weather condition for each month of year for New Delhi climatic condition. Results of the proposed N-ETC-DS has been compared with DS integrated with N identical photovoltaic thermal (PVT) flat plate collectors (N-PVT-FPC-DS), DS integrated with N identical PVT compound parabolic concentrator collectors (N-PVT-CPC-DS) and conventional DS (CDS). It has been concluded that N-ETC-DS performs best on the basis of exergy based energy payback time, energy production factor and life cycle conversion efficiency followed by N-PVT-FPC-DS, CDS and N-PVT-CPC-DS.

Improving the performance of single slope solar still by including N identical PVT collectors

This paper communicates the improvement in performance of single slope solar still (SS) by including N identical partially covered photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors. Three models have been considered namely, SS included with N identical partially covered PVT flat plate collectors (N-PVT-FPC-SS); SS included with N identical partially covered PVT compound parabolic concentrator collectors (N-PVT-CPC-SS) and conventional SS (CSS). In this work, yearly production of potable water, energy, exergy, energy metrics, cost of distillate output and cogeneration efficiency have been computed for the proposed N-PVT-FPC-SS at 0.14 m water depth under optimized condition for New Delhi, India. Results obtained have been compared with results reported by researchers previously and it has been concluded that exergy based energy payback time is lower by 89.90% and 44.45%; energy production factor is higher by 46.67% and 31.11%; life cycle conversion efficiency is higher by 56.25% and 37.50% and production cost of potable water is lower by 27.05% and 3.20% for the proposed N-PVT-FPC-SS than N-PVT-CPC-SS and CSS respectively. The proposed system can produce potable water on commercial scale and at the same time, it can meet DC electrical power need.

Enhancement in energy metrics of double slope solar still by incorporating N identical PVT collectors

In this paper, double slope solar still has been analyzed by incorporating N identical partially covered photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors under optimized condition to assess the enhancement in energy metrics. Number of collectors, mass flow rate and water depth of N identical partially covered PVT flat plate collector (N-PVT-FPC-DS) have been optimized for climatic condition of New Delhi. Subsequently, annual distillate output, energy, exergy, energy metrics, cogeneration efficiency and cost of distillate output have been computed for the proposed N-PVT-FPC-DS at 0.14m water depth. Results obtained have been compared with results reported by previous researchers and it has been concluded that the proposed N-PVT-FPC-DS performs better than double slope solar still incorporated with N identical PVT compound parabolic concentrator collectors (N-PVT-CPC-DS) and conventional double slope solar still (CDSSS) on the basis of energy metrics and cost of distillate output. The exergy based energy payback time is lower by 74.66% and 62.62%; energy production factor is higher by 43.30% and 38.14%; life cycle conversion efficiency is higher by 48.57% and 48.57% and cost of distillate output is lower by 35.37% and 4.88% for the proposed N-PVT-FPC-DS than N-PVT-CPC-DS and CDSSS respectively.

Exergoeconomic, enviroeconomic and productivity analyses of basin type solar stills by incorporating N identical PVT compound parabolic concentrator collectors: A comparative study

This paper presents exergoeconomic, enviroeconomic and productivity analyses of basin type solar stills by incorporating N identical photovoltaic thermal (PVT) compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) collectors commonly known as PVT-CPC active solar distillation systems. In this work, the mass flow rate and the number of collectors have been optimized and values of yearly distillate output, energy, exergy and cogeneration efficiency have been computed for the proposed solar distillation systems at 0.14m water depth for the same basin area under composite climatic conditions of New Delhi. The exergoeconomic parameter, enviroeconomic parameter, productivity and cogeneration efficiency for double slope PVT-CPC active solar distillation system have been found to be higher by 16.22%, 21.48%, 8.56% and 5.73% respectively than obtained from a similar single slope set up at a water depth of 0.14m for the same basin area under similar climatic condition. The proposed system can meet the potable water needs on a commercial scale and generate DC electrical power during sunshine hours.

Exergoeconomic and enviroeconomic analyses of N identical photovoltaic thermal integrated double slope solar still

This paper deals with the enhancement in exergoeconomic and enviroeconomic parameters for double slope solar still by incorporating N identical partially covered photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors. The energy, exergy, exergoeconomic and enviroeconomic parameters and productivity have been computed for double slope solar still incorporated with N identical PVT flat plate collectors (N-PVT-FPC-DS). The analysis has been done at 0.14 m water depth, optimum values of mass flow rate and a number of collectors considering four climatic conditions of New Delhi for each month of the year. The result obtained for the proposed system has been compared with the result of earlier researchers. It has been concluded that kWh per unit cost based on exergy gain is higher by 40.73% and 54.63%; environmental cost is higher by 59.70% and 92.55%; however, the output per unit input based on productivity is higher by 9.25% and lower by 25.13% for N-PVT-FPC-DS than double slope solar still integrated with N identical PVT compound parabolic concentrator collector and conventional double slope solar still, respectively.

Thermal modelling of N partially covered photovoltaic thermal (PVT) – Compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) collectors connected in series

In the present study, the thermal energy balance equations have been taken for N partially covered photovoltaic thermal–compound parabolic concentrator collectors (N-PVT–CPC) connected in series. An analytical mathematical expression for Nth outlet water temperature (TfoN) and efficiency of solar cell at Nth collector (ηcN) have been derived in terms of climate and design parameters. Numerical computations have been carried out for two Indian climatic condition namely (a) January (winter) and (b) June (summer), respectively. Effect of number of PVT–CPC collectors connected in series, mass flow rate and the percentage of PV coverage on various temperatures, an overall thermal energy and overall exergy have been carried. It has been observed that an overall exergy of proposed system is maximum for winter condition due to less thermal losses.