Solar Energy Collection System Research Articles

Modeling of an advanced renewable energy system coupled with hydrogen production and liquefaction for sustainable communities

The primary objective of this study is to develop a sustainable and efficient renewable energy-based multigeneration system that is specifically designed to meet diverse energy demands, such as heat, cooling, electricity and hydrogen. The system comprises several subsystems: a digester for biomass processing, a solar energy collection system, a thermal energy storage system, a multistage Brayton cycle, a steam Rankine cycle with reheat, a double-effect absorption system, a sonic hydrogen production unit, and a multistage hydrogen liquefaction system. The methodology involves conducting energy and exergy analyses, economic evaluation, and environmental impact assessment to determine the system's performance and viability. The energy efficiency results show that the Brayton cycle, steam Rankine cycle and liquefaction system have efficiencies of 30.92 %, 30.18 %, and 64.53 %, respectively. The exergy efficiencies for these subsystems are 50.10 %, 67.21 %, and 11.29 %, respectively. The double-effect absorption system exhibits energetic and exergetic coefficients of performance of 1.68 and 0.64, respectively. The overall energy and exergy efficiencies of the system are 36.41 % and 55.74 %, respectively. The economic analysis indicates a significant revenue potential, with the project reaching its break-even point in 2031 and achieving a net present value of $6.60 million. The results of an environmental impact assessment study highlight a reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional systems, emphasizing the system's contribution to sustainable energy solutions.

Designs of Energy Harvester for Wireless Sensor Networks

An essential part of the IoT architecture are wireless sensor networks. There has been extensive study done to identify alternative methods of powering wireless sensor networks because the nodes of wireless sensor networks are mostly power constrained. This study mainly introduces three energy collector solutions that can power wireless sensors. They are an electromagnetic vibration energy harvesting system that powers the light source of the fiber Bragg grating sensor, a solar energy collection system that uses ambient photovoltaic energy, and a wind energy harvester that uses gas elastic vibration to convert wind energy into electrical energy. The solar energy collection system is based on maximum power point tracking, in which the solar panels can provide 3W of power with a high efficiency of up to 96%; the wind energy harvester is composed of a wind generator and a power management unit, capable of operating at wind speeds of 2-9m/s, providing 70mW of power. Besides, the electromagnetic vibration energy harvesting system provides an average power output of approximately 40mW when subjected to acceleration levels greater than 0.05g. These results can serve as solutions for sustainable power output.

4D Printable liquid crystal elastomers with restricted nanointerfacial slippage for long-term-cyclic-stability photothermal actuation.

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) blended with photothermal nanofillers can reversibly and rapidly deform their shapes under external optical stimuli. However, nanointerfacial slipping inevitably occurs between the LCE molecules and the nanofillers due to their weak physical interactions, eventually resulting in cyclic instability. This work presents a versatile strategy to fabricate nanointerfacial-slipping-restricted photoactuation elastomers by chemically bonding the nanofillers into a thermally actuatable liquid crystal network. We experimentally and theoretically investigated three types of metal-based nanofillers, including zero-dimensional (0D) nanoparticles, one-dimensional (1D) nanowires, and two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets. The toughly crosslinked nanointerface allows for remarkably promoted interfacial thermal conductivity and stress transfer. Therefore, the resultant actuators enable the realization of long-term-cyclic-stability 4D-printed flexible intelligent systems such as the optical gripper, crawling robot, light-powered self-sustained windmill, butterflies with fluttering wings, and intelligent solar energy collection system.

A parabolic solar collector for harnessing solar energy in Bucaramanga, Colombia

In this work, a solar energy collection system based on a parabolic solar collector adjusted to the conditions and availability of energy was designed to examine this type of collection device and evaluate the energy potential when installed in an educational institution. To do this, data from the historical series of solar radiation compiled by the POWER project (Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) were analyzed and compared with data from the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies in Colombia (IDEAM).

Efficient visible light performance of MoS2QDs/TiO2 hollow sphere photocatalysts for the degradation of dyes and antibiotics

In this paper, molybdenum disulfide quantum dots (MoS2QDs) and TiO2 nanoparticles were used as visible light-responsive photocatalysts. The intensity of the bandgap photoluminescence of quantum dots was reduced after combining MoS2QDs with TiO2. This indicates that the photoexcited electrons in MoS2QDs are easily transferred to TiO2. The combination of MoS2QDs and TiO2 inhibits the recombination of charges and the complexation of photogenerated carriers, thus improving the degradation efficiency of dyes and antibiotics in the photocatalytic process. The cycling results showed that the MoS2QDs/TiO2 composites had good cycling stability. After five cycles of experiments, the composites still maintained similar degradation activity. Finally, a possible mechanism of the photocatalytic reaction of MoS2QDs/TiO2 is proposed. The charge generation and electron-hole separation capability of MoS2QDs/TiO2 in a wide spectral range can effectively separate photogenerated electron-hole pairs and maintain its high redox capability. It provides a broad prospect for composite materials to improve photocatalytic activity in different fields and offers many new possibilities for solar energy collection systems.

AutoGIS processing for site selection for solar pond development as efficient water treatment plants in Egypt

The increasing demand for renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources is a top priority for many countries around the world. It is obvious that renewable solar energy will help to meet most of the energy demand in the coming years. A solar pond is a huge Salt artificial Lake that serves as a solar energy collection system. However, site selection is a critical factor that affects the effectiveness and lifetime of a solar pond. Here, we present an innovative methodology for site selection based on three environmental factors, including direct solar irradiance (DNI), temperature, and wind speed. Our approach uses Python programming and clustering analysis with several libraries, including Pandas, Geopandas, Rasterio, Osgeo, and Sklearn, to analyse and process data collected over a 30-year period from NASA power. This method was applied to the geographic boundaries of Egypt, but the methods can be applied to any spatial context if the same dataset is available. The results show that Egypt has a potential land area of 500 km2 suitable for solar ponds construction along the border with Sudan throughout the year, including 2000 km2 in winter (between January and March), 800 km2 in spring (between April and June), 900 km2 in summer (between July and September), and the largest area of 3700 km2 (between October and December), most of which is located in the south of the Eastern Desert and around the Nile River. Notably, the northwestern region, close to the Mediterranean Sea on the border with Libya, exhibits suitability for solar pond development, with consistent performance throughout the year. Our results provide an efficient way for GIS and data processing and could be useful for implementing new software to find the best location for solar ponds development. This could be beneficial for those interested in investing in renewable energy and using solar ponds as an efficient water treatment plant.

Improvement of solar air heaters performance with PCM-filled baffles and storage bed

Solar air heaters (SAHs) are popular solar energy collection systems due to their simple design and construction. However, conventional SAHs face limitations, including a small heat transfer surface area, high thermal resistance between the airflow and the heater, and reduced performance during nights or cloudy days. This study proposes a solution by incorporating both a PCM storage bed and optimized PCM-filled baffles in the SAH. Initially, a 3D transient numerical analysis is conducted to investigate the SAH with a storage bed and PCM-filled baffles. The numerical modeling employs the TEDM approach to identify the optimal geometries for the PCM-filled baffles. Subsequently, experimental tests are conducted based on the identified optimal conditions. The results reveal that the height of the baffles is the most influential parameter in determining the daily effective efficiency. The proposed SAH exhibits a daily effective efficiency approximately 57.9% higher than that of a SAH without PCM and 52.6% higher than that of a SAH with a PCM storage bed at Re=5000. Moreover, the proposed SAH outperforms baffles-less SAHs by prolonging the duration during which the outlet air is at least 5° warmer than the inlet by approximately 54%.

Advanced DC–DC converter topologies for solar energy harvesting applications: a review

Abstract In this study, the advanced topologies of a DC–DC converter for applications involving the harvesting of solar energy are discussed. This work’s primary contribution is a guide for choosing the most effective topology for a DC–DC converter when developing solar energy collection systems. Several topologies of a DC–DC converter for solar energy harvesting applications are compared in terms of the range of power levels they can oversee, the complexity of the underlying hardware, the cost of implementation, the tracking efficiency and the overall efficiency of the converter. This article explains five innovative approaches for adapting boost converters to function as standard DC–DC converters to capture solar energy, consisting of (i) voltage-multiplier cell, (2) coupled inductor, (3) coupled inductor and switch capacitor, (4) cascaded topology and (5) voltage-lift technique. Because of the boost converter’s restrictions, it is necessary to deliver high performance. The comparison findings demonstrate that the voltage-lift-based boost-converter topology performs more effectively than the alternatives. In conclusion, the information presented in this paper can be utilized when developing solar energy collection systems to determine the sort of direct current to direct current converter that will be most effective.

Efficient 38.8 W/m2 solar pumped laser with a Ce:Nd:YAG crystal and a Fresnel lens.

Herein, we report a significant improvement in solar-pumped laser collection efficiency based on end-side pumping a 6-mm-diameter 95-mm-length Ce:Nd:YAG/YAG grooved bonded crystal rod. A Fresnel lens, quartz cooling-water tube, and gold-plated conical cavity constituted the solar-energy collection and concentration system, which was designed to maximum pump light absorption and minimize thermal effects in the Ce:Nd:YAG laser medium. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a Ce:Nd:YAG crystal has been pumped by a Fresnel-lens solar-energy collection and concentration system. The 0.69-m2 effective solar-collection area produced 26.93 W of continuous-wave laser power, corresponding to 6.33% slope efficiency. The collection efficiency (38.8 W/m2) was 1.21 times higher than the highest previously reported value for Fresnel-lens solar collection, and is a record for single-beam solar-pumped lasers.

Aligned channel Gelatin@nanoGraphite aerogel supported form-stable phase change materials for solar-thermal energy conversion and storage

To overcome the poor shape stability, low thermal conductivity, and weak photo response of phase change materials (PCMs), we designed a kind of Gelatin@nanoGraphite aerogel with aligned channel structure of graphite nanosheets and a new type of stable Paraffin/Gelatin@nanoGraphite composite PCMs was fabricated in this work. The graphite nanosheets were used as thermal conduction and photon absorption fillers. The microstructure, thermal conductivity, thermal stability, and solar-thermal conversion of the composite PCMs have been investigated. The results show that the rich porosity of the prepared Gelatin@nanoGraphite aerogel effectively loads a large amount of paraffin wax (>93.2 wt%). Meanwhile, the composite PCMs had anisotropic solar-thermal conversion and thermal conductivity (radial 3.75 and axial 2.59 W/(m·K)), high melting enthalpy (>146.4 J/g), and excellent phase change cycle and shape stability. This material has intensive application prospects in the fields of building energy saving, human body hyperthermia and solar energy collection system.

An analysis of heat source/sink influence on MHD fluid flow past a vertically enhanced plate with radiations

This paper explores the heat source/sink influence on irregular flow across a uniformly moving stretch sheet with of magnetic field. Flow equations are tackled with Laplace transformation technique. Tables and graphs drawn with MATLAB software show the effects of various physical parameters discovered during the numerical simulation on velocity, temperature, concentration, heat and mass transfer rate. The temperature is demonstrated to be reduced by the radiation and heat absorption parameters. Results reveal that concentration improves with enhancement of time. Furthermore, fluid velocity reduces with enhancement in viscosity. Solar energy collection systems, geophysics, astrophysics, aerospace and the design of high temperature manufacturing process systems are all examples of where the model can be used. The consistency of the model predictions is determined by comparing the findings to previously published literature. The article is unique and fills the gap in literature that the combined effects of heat source/sink with radiations and magnetism have rarely been researched.

Hydrodynamic Boundary Layer Flow of Chemically Reactive Fluid over Exponentially Stretching Vertical Surface with Transverse Magnetic Field in Unsteady Porous Medium

This article addresses the hydrodynamic boundary layer flow of a chemically reactive fluid over an exponentially stretching vertical surface with transverse magnetic field in an unsteady porous medium. The flow problem is modelled as time depended dimensional partial differential equations which are transformed to dimensionless equations and solved by means of approximate analytic method. The results are illustrated graphically and numerically and compared with previously published results which shown a good agreement. Physically increasing Eckert number of a fluid amplifies the kinetic energy of the fluid, and as a novelty, the Eckert number under the influence of chemically reactive magnetic field is effective in controlling the kinematics of hydrodynamic boundary layer flow in porous medium. Interestingly, whilst the Eckert number amplifies the thermal boundary layer thickness and velocity as well as the concentration of the fluid, the presence of the magnetic field and the strength of the chemical reaction have a retarding effect on the flow. Also, the chemical reaction parameter and permeability of porous medium are effective in reducing skin friction in chemically reactive magnetic porous medium and are relevant in practice because reduced skin friction enhances the efficiency of a system. The results of the current study are useful in solar energy collector systems and materials processing.

Biodegradable wood plastic composites with phase change microcapsules of honeycomb-BN-layer for photothermal energy conversion and storage

A novel thermal energy storage (TES) composites system consisting of the microPCMs based on n-octadecane nucleus and SiO2/honeycomb-structure BN layer-by-layer shell as energy storage materials, and wood powder/Poly (butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) as the matrix, was created with the goal of improving the heat transmission and photothermal responsiveness of building materials. The microPCMs were made via mini-emulsion interfacial polycondensation and electrostatic self-assembly to anchor BN on the surface of the SiO2 shell. The two kinds of microPCMs we designed had regular spherical morphology, BN was successfully anchored outside the SiO2 shell, showing a honeycomb structure and good heat storage performance (140.4 J/g and 140.6 J/g). The thermal energy storage wood plastic composites (TES WPCs) had considerable energy storage capacity and temperature regulation ability. The TES WPCs with the unique honeycomb structure of BN-MicroPCMs (BN-WPC) had better heat transfer performance and photothermal conversion efficiency (69.54%), and the thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity and energy storage efficiency of which were increased by 75.06%, 87.06% and 200% respectively. Meanwhile, the unique honeycomb structure strengthened the interfacial bond strength of TES WPCs and brought satisfactory mechanical strength, and the tensile strength, elongation at break, bending strength and bending modulus of BN-WPC are increased by 51.16%, 97.01%, 81.28% and 742.74%, respectively compared with the WPC added with S-MicroPCMs (S-WPC). These results indicated that this research by designing the BN honeycomb structure layer on the traditional microPCMs surface, obtained the rapid thermal response of high-performance TES WPCs in residential construction, thermal energy storage, solar energy collection system and thermal regulation has broad application prospects.

Analysis of project benefit of solar energy collection and irrigation system based on AHP

In this paper, AHP method is used to construct the evaluation model of trough solar heat collection and irrigation system (TSHCIS) engineering benefits, and the overall goal of TSHCIS engineering benefits is decomposed into several sub-objectives. The indexes of the sub-objectives are evaluated from economic, social, ecological and other aspects. After the decomposition and synthesis, we have a clearer understanding of the engineering benefits of TSHCIS. This paper proposes an evaluation index system for evaluating the benefits of TSHCIS projects based on the social, economic, and physical geographic characteristics of TSHCIS construction. The AHP method is used to construct the criterion layer and the index layer in the index system, and the judgment matrix is established to check the consistency. At the same time, the ranking weight vector of each element to the overall goal is evaluated from top to bottom, and the contribution of each index to the project benefit evaluation can be obtained from the total weight vector. Finally, the evaluation of TSHCIS constructed in Panzhihua City was carried out to verify the effectiveness of the AHP method in evaluating TSHCIS.

Thermodynamic Analysis of Waste Vegetable Oil Conversion to Biodiesel with Solar Energy

Exergy and energy analyses of two biodiesel production processes that integrate solar energy as the main energy source were developed to determine the process with the higher efficiency from an energy and exergy approach. The biodiesel production processes were simulated in ASPEN PLUS®, and the solar energy supply was studied in TRNSYS®, using EXCEL® simultaneously for the exergetic analysis. The solar thermal energy collection system can supply 81% of the energy required by the alkali process in the Flash separation equipment. For the supercritical process, solar thermal energy can supply 74.5% of the energy in the preheating and separation stages. The energy efficiency of the supercritical process is higher; nevertheless, the exergetic efficiency of the alkaline process is higher than the supercritical one. Solar collection systems contribute from 85% to 93% of the exergy destroyed by the global process for both cases. The alkaline biodiesel production process has the highest advantages when using solar energy as the main source of energy, compared to a process in supercritical conditions that presents greater irreversibilities and requires more infrastructure to collect the solar resource. However, using solar energy as the foremost energy source offers an alternative to fossil fuels, and it provides an environmental benefit concurrently with the use of biodiesel.

Solar Irradiation Evaluation through GIS Analysis Based on Grid Resolution and a Mathematical Model: A Case Study in Northeast Mexico

The estimation of the solar resource on certain surfaces of the planet is a key factor in deciding where to establish solar energy collection systems. This research uses a mathematical model based on easy-access geographic and meteorological information to calculate total solar radiation at ground surface. This information is used to create a GIS analysis of the State of Nuevo León in Mexico and identify solar energy opportunities in the territory. The analyzed area was divided into a grid and the coordinates of each corner are used to feed the mathematical model. The obtained results were validated with statistical analyses and satellite-based estimations from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The applied approach and the results may be replicated to estimate solar radiation in other regions of the planet without requiring readings from on-site meteorological stations and therefore reducing the cost of decision-making regarding where to place the solar energy collection equipment.

Flexible and resilient photothermal polyurethane film from polydopamine-coated phase change microcapsules

A major barrier to widespread use of solar energy remains: the need for storage to correct the mismatch between supply and demand. Herein, this paper prepared a flexible and resilient polyurethane film ( m -M n /PU) that could convert and store solar energy by compositing photothermal phase change microcapsules (microPCMs) coated with polydopamine (PDA) and waterborne polyurethane. The modified microPCMs (>225 J/g) were obtained via the surface deposition with PDA, and the m -M n /PU films displayed desirable photothermal storage efficiency from 49.1% to 66.8%. It was found that incorporation of PDA improved the elongation at break of 50-M n /PU films (>110 J/g) from 163% to 442% due to the favorable interaction of PDA-coated microPCMs with PU. The films also demonstrated the excellent thermal durability, photothermal cyclability and flexibility. The simple PDA deposition strategy could be adopted in making varieties of photothermal composites suitable for thermal energy management and solar energy collector system. • The microPCMs loading 1.2 wt% PDA had the photothermal property. • Photothermal PDA-coated microPCMs@PU films had the excellent flexibility. • The composite films had melting enthalpy over 110 J/g and thermal durability. • The composite films also had excellent photothermal cyclability.

Review on Solar Ponds in Libya

Solar and renewable energies applications got a great interest and attention in the last few decades. Problems related to CO2 emissions, air pollution, Ozone layer depletion, global warming and environment issues raise the necessity for getting a clean and safe energy. For this purpose, the Center for Solar Energy Studies (CSERS) in Libya conducted a huge research work in different applications for solar and renewable energies. One of these important activities is the Solar Gradient Solar Pond technology. It is an effective solar energy collection and storage system which presents a relatively simple and economic method of providing low grade energy with the advantage of annual storage cycle.This paper presents a general review on researches and studies on solar ponds that were conducted by CSERS research team. Tajoura’s Experimental Solar Pond (TESP) is designed as an experimental facility enabling the investigation of various aspects of pond performance. It is constructed by the Center for Solar Energy Studies, in joint cooperation with a Swiss company, with a surface area of about 830 m2, and a depth of 2.5 m, coupled with an evaporative pond of 105 m2 area and 1.5 m deep, equipped with all necessary equipments and measuring control system.The paper also shows the experience of operating MSF desalination unit coupled with TESP solar pond. Finally, other factors affecting the solar pond’s thermal stability were also discussed.

HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER ON UNSTEADY MHD FLOW THROUGH AN INFINITE OSCILLATING VERTICAL POROUS SURFACE

Analytical solutions of an unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow with heat and mass transfer characteristics of an incompressible, viscous, electrically conducting, and Boussinesq fluid over a vertical oscillating plate embedded in a Darcian porous medium in the presence of a thermal radiation are presented. The fluid considered here is a gray, absorbing/emitting radiating, but nonscattering medium. At time t > 0, the plate temperature and concentration near the plate are raised linearly with time t. The dimensionless governing coupled unsteady boundary layer partial differential equations are solved by the Laplace transform technique. An increase in permeability parameter (K) is found to increase fluid velocities and shear stress in the regime. Also it was found that when the conduction-radiation parameter (R) increased, the fluid velocity and the temperature profiles decreased. Applications of the study are found in materials processing and solar energy collector systems.

Research on the influence of environmental factors on solid heat collection system

Heat collection from thermal radiation in the hydronic system of slab simulated to the solar collection on road in the summer was studied. An experimental system of thermal radiation was established to study influences of objective factors and their functions, such as thermal radiation intensity, wind speed, etc. The radiation intensity and wind speed of the slab surface experiments include the studies of heat collection quantity per surface area, temperature difference per pipe length, heat collection efficiency, and temperature of collection surface. The result showed that with increase of radiation intensity of slab surface, heat collection quantity increased but heat collection efficiency decreased. Under the unimodal dynamic radiation density, variation curves of the parameters which characterize the heat collection capacity follow an unimodal form, while variation curve of the heat collection efficiency is contrary to that of radiation intensity. The thermal response to this solid structure collection system has a significant delaying effect, in which heat capacity of solid structure is an important constraining factor. Therefore, these influencing factors and their effects have considerable importance for designing a solar energy collection system on road.