Thermal System Research Articles

Optimizing sustainable energy integration: A novel approach using concentrated solar plant and hybrid power supply

This study pioneers sustainable energy solutions amidst escalating demand and fossil fuel depletion. Its primary novelty lies in proposing an integrated energy system, encompassing a concentrated solar plant, thermal energy system, and hybrid power supply within the solar energy domain. This integration substantially enhances overall system performance. The architectural design integrates various energy conversion components, including wind turbines, energy storage devices, and electric heaters, fostering synergistic collaboration. The optimization of energy usage is a key focus, utilizing heating and electricity costs as pivotal signals for participation in an Integrated Demand Response program (IRD). The demand response model, encompassing both thermal and electric loads, incorporates a sophisticated price elasticity matrix. Addressing challenges associated with renewable energy intermittency, phased carbon emissions, and the advantages of demand response, this study introduces an advanced system operation optimization model to effectively curtail operational costs. In the realm of methodology, this research breaks new ground by proposing an enhanced optimization algorithm that ingeniously combines the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) with the Wavelet Transform (WT). This novel amalgamation significantly enhances the algorithm's search capabilities, providing superior performance in tackling the complexities inherent in the optimization problem. The proposed model undergoes rigorous evaluation in a comprehensive study featuring diverse energy sources and multiple scenarios. The outcomes of this evaluation distinctly showcase substantial reductions in overall operational costs compared to conventional approaches. This multifaceted contribution positions the study at the forefront of endeavors to revolutionize energy systems for enhanced sustainability and efficiency.

Experimental investigation and modelling of hydrodynamics and heat transfer in flow boiling in normal and microgravity conditions

The development of long-term space thermal management systems has informed research into the influence of gravity on boiling. This work explored the influence of gravity on the hydrodynamics and heat transfer of boiling flow. Experiments were carried out using two test loops each consisting of a 6 mmID transparent cylindrical test section. Upward (+1░g) and downward (−1░g) flow boiling experiments were carried out in the laboratory while microgravity (μg) experiments were carried out during a parabolic flight campaign. The results of flow visualisation showed significant influence of gravity on the flow patterns and the influence of gravity was generally limited to mass flux, G≤400kg/m2s and/or vapor quality, x≤0.35. In all three gravity conditions, the measured heat transfer coefficient was influenced by heat flux, mass flux and/or vapor quality. For liquid Reynolds number, Relo≤2000(G≤150kg/m2s) and boiling number Bo<0.002 the measured heat transfer coefficient was highest in −1g flow and lowest in μg flow but becomes comparable at Bo>0.002. A correlation for predicting microgravity heat transfer coefficient was proposed in this work and the proposed correlation predicted 100 % of the μg data in the current work within ±20%, predicted nearly 100 % of the μg data of Ohta et al. (2013) within ±30% and around 85 % of the μg data of Narcy (2014) within -20 % to +50 %. A correlation for predicting the gravity dependent regime as it relates to heat transfer coefficient in +1g and μg flows was also proposed in this work. The proposed criterium correctly predicted over 85 % of the gravity-dependent heat transfer coefficient in the current work and the works of Lebon et al. (2019), Narcy (2014), Ohta et al. (2013).

The novel stereoscopic cooling plate designs and performance analysis for battery thermal management systems

This study explores the design and performance of liquid cooling plate-based battery thermal management system for lithium-ion battery packs through numerical simulation. We first assess traditional straight-channel cooling plates with three different placement strategies. The conventional design with bottom-mounted cooling plates demonstrates the most effective thermal management at the same total coolant mass flow rate. This suggests that the influence of reducing coolant flow velocity on the cooling performance outweighs the influence of increasing the heat exchange area under our simulated conditions. Advanced stereoscopic cooling plate structures, referred to as 3DCP-A and 3DCP-B, are then introduced, significantly enhancing battery thermal management performance. To achieve a maximum temperature difference ≤ 5.0 K for the most discharge process, the required mass flow rate of the 3DCP-B decreases by 30.0 g∙s−1 and 10.0 g∙s−1 compared to the conventional bottom-mounted cooling plate and 3DCP-A, respectively, and the pressure drop reduces by 75.9 % and 44.3 %, respectively. The power consumption for the 3DCP-B design is only 6.0 % of that for the traditional design. Finally, the effects of key operating temperatures on the cooling performance of the optimal 3DCP-B design are discussed. The insights obtained in this study provide valuable guidance for developing more efficient and effective pack-level liquid cooling plate-based battery thermal management system, essential for improving the reliability and performance of electric vehicles.

Road Site Inspection and Measures to Avoid Further Deformation

Strength and stability of the roadbed and engineering structures in permafrost conditions and deep seasonal freezing of soils always remain complex scientific, technical and technological problem in construction and reconstruction of roads in northern regions. Particularly important is the spread of subgrade subsidence during construction and further operation and maintenance of roads in these regions. The road destruction is mostly caused by both global warming and geological and hydrogeological conditions.To prevent the deformation development, it is necessary to provide a number of special engineering measures to prevent thawing of permafrost soils or strengthen supra-permafrost layers of foundations. The purpose of the work is to study methods for eliminating deformation of the road bed in permafrost and choosing the main method for eliminating subsidence of the road.The article discusses several ways to solve the problem of eliminating subsidence on of the federal highway. Options for reconstruction of the roadbed are considered. These are different methods of thermal stabilization, i.e., horizontal (sloping) thermal stabilization system with inclined thermal stabilizers, temporary vertical thermal stabilizers for pre-construction freezing of foundation soils, and hybrid thermal stabilization system (horizontal and vertical thermal stabilizer in one product). A method is proposed for stabilizing the road base by installing soil-cement piles. The main advantages of and disadvantages the methods are noted and cost assessment is made. A conclusion is drawn on the effectiveness of different methods to restore the subgrade structure in order to ensure the road base stability. The main method is elimination of subsidence by stabilizing the road base with installation of soil-cement piles.

Analysis of ultra-high concentration solar cells integrated with a confined microjet impingement cooling

The high solar concentration levels result in an intense influx of energy onto the concentrated triple-junction solar cell, leading to elevated temperatures that can degrade the cell’s performance and overall lifespan. This necessitates the development of innovative and efficient cooling strategies to mitigate temperature-induced losses and ensure optimal energy conversion. This study introduces an innovative micro jet impingement cooling system designed for ultrahigh concentrated solar cells, addressing the critical challenge of temperature management under high solar concentration levels. Furthermore, structural modifications were proposed, including reducing ceramic layer thickness to decrease the thermal resistance and using thermal interface materials to improve the cell temperature uniformity. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model was developed to evaluate the proposed system’s performance and compare it with the traditional jet impingement heat sink. The model was verified and validated using empirical data in the literature. In addition, the Response Surface Method was employed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the system’s behavior under various weather conditions and cooling fluid effects. The results showed that concentration ratio and direct normal irradiance significantly affect the system’s performance. Moreover, the new cooling system maintains temperatures below the recommended operating temperature. Finally, the environmental assessment indicated substantial energy payback time reductions at 20,000 Suns, which is significantly lower than at 1000 Suns. The CO2 emissions analysis shows a marked potential for emissions mitigation, particularly at higher CRs and longer sunshine hours. These insights offer a comprehensive overview of ultrahigh concentrated solar cell thermal system performance, highlighting its efficiency and environmental sustainability in solar energy applications.

Entropy generated nonlinear mixed convective beyond constant characteristics nanomaterial wedge flow

Background and objectiveNanomaterial flows at present have received much attention of the researchers. Such motivation stems for their utilization in pharmaceutical, industrial, petroleum, manufacturing and engineering applications including regenerative medicine, treatment of cancer, electronic device cooling, solar collector, mineral oil, antimicrobial agents, thermal storage system, transformer cooling and X-imaging etc. Higher thermal energy requirement in several electrical and mechanical systems is desired in recent time due to high advancement of science and technology. For important application here the stagnation point flow due to wedge with nonlinear convection is explored. For porous media, the Darcy-Forchheimer relation is considered. Characteristics of nanofluid is added by utilizing Buongiorno's model. Variable fluid characteristics are under consideration. Applied magnetic field is accounted. Energy expression comprises thermal radiation, Brownian motion, Ohmic heating, thermophoresis and heat generation. First order reaction and entropy rate are considered. MethodologyNonlinear differential expressions are changed into dimensionless ordinary systems through adequate transformations. The resultant nonlinear ordinary systems are solved through optimal homotopy analysis technique (OHAM). ResultsOutcomes for influential variables about temperature, velocity, concentration and entropy rate have been arranged. Here results show that for magnetic field the liquid flow and entropy rate have opposite scenarios. Thermal distribution and concentration have reverse effects for random motion variable while similar effect holds for thermophoresis parameter. Magnetic field and diffusion parameters contribute to augment entropy generation. Higher values of temperature dependent electrical conductivity variable lead to increase entropy rate. Thermal distribution for radiation and Eckert number is similar.

A Nanorod With Near-Perfect Absorption for Efficient Utilization of Solar Thermal Energy

Solar thermal utilization faces a significant challenge, with efficient photothermal conversion being the primary issue. Although plasma nanofluid-based direct absorption solar collectors have shown potential in providing excellent sunlight capture capabilities, their narrow-band absorption limits their efficient photothermal conversion. This study proposes an alternative solution by introducing gold nanorods that achieve nearly perfect absorption across 300–1100 nm. The study demonstrates that the spectral absorption capacity of nanorods remains unaffected by their size and material at specific concentrations and depths. The analysis of the electromagnetic distribution at the resonance absorption peak reveals that the nanorods exhibit a “lightning rod” effect and surface plasmon resonance, leading to significant absorption. Additionally, the study investigates the effect of five common plasma nanomaterials on the nanorods’ optical absorption properties. The results show that titanium nitride-based nanorods exhibit broad-spectrum absorption and require only a small concentration and depth to achieve a 95% solar weighted absorption fraction. This research provides a valuable guide for the efficient photothermal conversion of plasma nanofluids, enhancing their potential for solar thermal systems.

Development of highly stable low supercooling paraffin nano phase change emulsions for thermal management systems

Current research on thermal management systems focuses on aspects such as structural optimization of liquid cooling channels, with less research on the development of cooling media. Phase change emulsions, as latent heat functional fluids with significant potential, enhance heat transfer efficiency and temperature control in thermal management systems. However, the issues of significant supercooling and poor stability have hindered the further development of phase change emulsions. In this study, a highly stable, low-supercooling paraffin nano emulsion was successfully prepared by ultrasonication using SDBS, Span80, and Tween80 as composite surfactants and titanium dioxide nanoparticles as nucleating agents. It was found that the emulsion maintained excellent stability for 180 days of static stability and 200 thermal cycles without significant stratification. Subsequently, thermophysical property tests showed that the emulsion had a latent heat of phase transition of 45.48 J·g−1, and maintained good electrical insulating properties. The successful dispersion of 0.9 wt% titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the presence of SDBS resulted in a 77 % reduction in supercooling and a 20.5 % increase in thermal conductivity. Meanwhile, no instability was observed in the emulsion over 90 days of static stability test and 200 thermal cycles. The titanium dioxide-modified paraffin nano emulsions are characterized by high energy storage density, low supercooling, excellent stability, high thermal conductivity, and good electrical insulating properties, which give them significant potential as a cooling medium in thermal management systems.

Quantifying damping coefficients in a rhombic-drive β-type Stirling engine based on a novel CFD-mechanism dynamic model and experimental data

Effectively exploiting renewable thermal energy sources and reducing the operating costs of renewable thermal systems remain challenging. Stirling engines, which serve as the heart of some renewable thermal systems, significantly impact both the maintenance and overall efficiency of these systems. However, the lack of information on friction behaviors in Stirling engines hinders the achievement of these goals. Therefore, this study clarifies the behaviors of damping coefficients in a rhombic-drive β-type Stirling engine. A novel CFD-mechanism dynamic model is developed to compute numerical values of cyclic-averaged engine speed corresponding to various loading torques. By employing the steepest descent method, the unknown values of the damping coefficients are adjusted to ensure the best match between numerical and experimental variations of loading torque with cyclic-averaged engine speed. Consequently, the study sheds light on the variation of damping coefficients with the instantaneous engine speed. The damping coefficient between the cylinder and piston is consistently lower than that between the displacer and cylinder. Additionally, the damping coefficient between the cylinder and piston ranges from 15.8 to 63.4 N s/m, while the coefficient between the cylinder and displacer increases from 50.0 to 195.5 N s/m as the instantaneous engine speed decreases from 1650 to 450 rpm.

A comprehensive review of rectangular duct solar air heaters featuring artificial roughness

Abstract Solar air heaters (SAHs) are widely used solar thermal systems with applications in diverse sectors. However, its effectiveness is restrained by low convective heat transfer (HT) coefficients at the absorber plate, leading to inefficient HT, and the elevated temperature of the absorber plate causes significant heat losses, reducing thermal efficiency. This study addresses these challenges by introducing ribs or roughness on the absorber plate creating turbulence in the airflow, resulting in significant improvements. The research investigates various rib configurations, the influence of rib parameters, performance methods, and arrangements to evaluate their HT and friction characteristics. Among these rib configurations, a comparative analysis is done on various factors such as the Nusselt number ratio, thermal enhancement factor, friction factor ratio, and thermal efficiency to optimize distinct roughness parameters and rib arrangement patterns. This study also provides valuable recommendations from existing literature, offering insights into the effective design, prospects, and implementation of SAH systems.

Effect of fluid flow behavior on sustainability and exergy efficiency of solar heat collectors having multiple V‐ribs with gaps

AbstractIn the current numerical study, the viability and sustainability of a solar heat collector (SHC) have been rigorously analyzed through the lens of exergy analysis. The SHC with roughness in the form of symmetrical V‐rib gaps has been selected for detailed numerical investigation. The study focuses on deriving the dominant parameters affecting the performance of the SHC, including the relative gap width (), number of gaps () in the limbs of ribs, and fluid flow Reynolds number, which varied from 4000 to 18,000. The absorber plate with roughness was thoroughly examined to evaluate the losses and irreversibility that persist in the thermal system. The results of the numerical analysis revealed the maximum exergy efficiency to be 3.87%. Furthermore, the study examined the long‐term feasibility of the system, evaluating its sustainability index at a remarkable 1.0319 value, while the magnitude of the waste–energy ratio fetched an impressive score of 0.991. Additionally, the study found that the system has a significant improvement potential of 10.04. Overall, these findings provide critical insights into the performance and sustainability of SHCs, paving the way for future research and development in this crucial field.

Pyrolysis front detection in carbon phenolic composites using x-ray computed tomography

Carbon phenolic composites are used as thermal protection systems (TPS) materials on space capsules to protect them from the hot aerothermal environment. The phenolic resin in the composite material decomposes (pyrolyzes) at low temperatures resulting in a pyrolysis front within the material. The detection of the pyrolysis front after exposure to heat has historically been achieved by physically sectioning cross-sections of the material. We combine the phase contrast retrieval method to reconstruct x-ray computed tomography scans along with image convolution to identify the pyrolysis front in carbon phenolic composites. Unlike the standard filtered back projection method that captures only the carbon phase, the phase contrast retrieval method uses both the attenuation coefficients and refractive indices to illuminate all three phases (carbon, resin, and voids) of carbon phenolic composites. Image convolution is applied on scans reconstructed using the phase contrast retrieval method to develop a density map of the composite to locate the pyrolysis front. The analysis is performed on a sample of phenolic impregnated carbon ablator that was tested in an arc-jet facility. For the sample analyzed, the depth of the pyrolysis front from the surface of the sample is calculated to be 2.150 ± 0.148 mm. Although the proposed approach is applied to detect the pyrolysis front, the tools can be used to illuminate the structure of any carbon phenolic composite, and we propose the use of the phase contrast retrieval method as a methodological standard to analyze carbon phenolic composites used on space capsules.

Influence of Rotation and Viscosity on Parallel Rolls of Electrically Conducting Fluid

Rayleigh–Bénard convection is a fundamental fluid dynamics phenomenon that significantly influences heat transfer in various natural and industrial processes, such as geophysical dynamics in the Earth’s liquid core and the performance of heat exchangers. Understanding the behavior of conductive fluids under the influence of heating, rotation, and magnetic fields is critical for improving thermal management systems. Utilizing the Boussinesq approximation, this study theoretically examines the nonlinear convection of a planar layer of conductive liquid that is heated from below and subjected to rotation about a vertical axis in the presence of a magnetic field. We focus on the onset of stationary convection as the temperature difference applied across the planar layer increases. Our theoretical approach investigates the formation of parallel rolls aligned with the magnetic field under free–free boundary conditions. To analyze the system of nonlinear equations, we expand the dependent variables in a series of orthogonal functions and express the coefficients of these functions as power series in a parameter ϵ. A solution for this nonlinear problem is derived through Fourier analysis of perturbations, extending to O(ϵ8), which allows for a detailed visualization of the parallel rolls. Graphical results are presented to explore the dependence of the Nusselt number on the Rayleigh number (R) and Ekman number (E). We observe that both the local Nusselt number and average Nusselt number increase as the Ekman number decreases. Furthermore, the flow appears to become more deformed as E decreases, suggesting an increased influence of external factors such as rotation. This deformation may enhance mixing within the fluid, thereby improving heat transfer between different regions.

Preparation of dodecahydrate disodium hydrogen phosphate shape-stabilized composite phase change materials and their experimental investigation in solar thermal storage and exothermic systems

To alleviate the mismatch between energy supply and demand caused by the spatial and temporal distribution mismatch and weather uncertainty during solar energy utilization, solar energy is combined with phase change thermal storage technology to improve the performance of solar thermal storage systems. In this study, a shape-stabilized composite phase change material with a highly absorbent resin structure is proposed as thermal storage material. This material exhibits a latent heat of phase change of 246.5 J/g, a thermal conductivity of 1.968 W/(m·K), and maintains good stability after 200 thermal cycles. Subsequently, a detachable experimental setup integrating solar energy with a phase change thermal storage tank was designed and constructed. The effects of inlet and outlet hot water flow rates and heat source temperature on heat storage time and the amount of stored water were investigated separately. The experiments show that increasing the heat source temperature during storage effectively shortens the storage time, and that the largest effective amount of hot water is obtained when the exothermic flow rate is 300 L/h. The study's results are significant for broadening solar energy utilization, alleviating the mismatch between solar energy supply and demand, and evaluating the thermal performance of latent heat storage systems.

Numerical analysis of hydrophobic surface effects on cavitation inception and evolution in high-speed centrifugal pumps for thermal energy storage and transfer systems

This study explores the influence of wettability surfaces on cavitation inception and evolution in high-speed centrifugal pumps used for thermal energy storage and transfer systems through numerical simulations. The simulations were conducted using the Kunz mass transfer model implemented in Fluent, combined with the Eulerian multiphase flow approach and the shear stress transport k–ω turbulence model. The cavitation dynamics were analyzed across contact angles ranging from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic conditions. The results demonstrate that superhydrophobic surfaces delay cavitation onset compared to hydrophilic ones, reducing the critical cavitation coefficient by at least 28%. At flow rates of 1.11 Q0 and 0.89 Q0, cavitation numbers show distinct trends, with superhydrophobic surfaces enhancing cavitation stability and reducing the frequency of cavitation shedding. The reentrant jet dynamics are also affected, with increased hydrophobicity weakening the jets and stabilizing cavitation zones. This research aims to advance the understanding of using surface wettability to manage cavitation in high-speed centrifugal pumps, thereby improving the performance and reliability of thermal energy storage and transfer systems.

Nanoencapsulation of phase change material with CuO nanoparticles: Development of thermal properties for energy storage

Today, the efficient use of energy resources has become essential due to the increasing need for energy. Therefore, thermal energy storage systems are used to minimize lost energy and more efficient energy consumption can be achieved by preventing energy losses. Phase change materials (PCMs) can be effectively used in thermal energy storage and are among the promising materials for a carbon–neutral future. In this study, the synthesis of nanoencapsulated phase change material (NEPCM) containing CuO NPs for use in thermal energy storage systems is included. In the production of phase change material, Copper oxide Nanoparticles were added into urea–formaldehyde resin as shell material, and an NEPCM, a eutectic mixture of capric acid-myristic acid, was prepared. Since the final product will be used in the structure, the phase change material was optimized for room temperature. In-situ polymerization, the synthesis process was carried out to obtain a better shell material to improve thermal properties and prevent leakage. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis were used to determine the morphology and chemical structure of the prepared NEPCM. Elemental analysis was performed to determine the presence of CuO NPs as shell material in urea–formaldehyde resin. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses were performed to determine the thermophysical properties. While the thermal degradation for CuO NPs-NEPCM occurred between 22.78–29.45 °C, the thermal degradation temperature shifted and the thermal degradation status in the first stage was less than that of normal NEPCM. It was observed that the thermal stability and strength of NEPCM increased with the addition of CuO NPs. NEPCM containing CuO NPs has thermal energy storage and energy conservation potential in buildings as a heat storage material. This study can provide an effective way to synthesize form-stable CuO-doped NEPCMs that are economically feasible for thermal applications and have the potential to contribute to future energy storage requirements.

Personalized low-cost thermal comfort monitoring using IoT technologies

Thermal comfort plays an essential role in the well-being and productivity of occupants. Typically, thermal comfort is assessed either through surveys completed by building occupants or through sensor data that is analyzed using thermal comfort models. Automating comfort surveys and data collection processes reduce the risk of information loss, providing more accurate and personalized thermal comfort assessments over longer periods of time. To this end, this paper presents the design and implementation of a thermal comfort monitoring system consisting of low-cost hardware components and using IoT technologies. The system consists of intelligent wireless sensor nodes that collect and process environmental data, a portable main station that integrates and stores data, and a digital survey that provides feedback from building occupants. To ensure accuracy, the low-cost hardware components of the intelligent sensor nodes are calibrated in a climate chamber, using high-precision sensors for reference. After calibration, the system is deployed in a field test where several intelligent sensor nodes collect environmental data in an office, while occupants complete the digital thermal comfort survey. In addition, thermal comfort indexes are computed by the intelligent sensor nodes and compared with the feedback of each building occupant. The results indicate that the low-cost thermal comfort monitoring system successfully collects and integrates thermal comfort data from the intelligent sensor nodes and the digital survey, being able to create personalized thermal comfort profiles. In future work, the system can be used in large-scale thermal comfort surveys, to develop personalized thermal comfort models and to control personalized comfort systems.

Design optimization of finned multi-tube PCM heat exchanger for enhancing EV energy performance

This study presents an optimized design of a finned multi-tube phase change material-based thermal energy storage system for electric vehicle thermal management, addressing the challenge of low battery efficiency in cold climates. While finned multi-tube designs are recognized for their thermal advantages, their application in electric vehicles has been underexplored. Previous research often overlooks the full operational cycle of electric vehicles, including charging (melting), discharging (solidification), and driving conditions. This work bridges the gap by optimizing the thermal energy storage design using a multi-objective genetic algorithm to enhance both thermal efficiency and energy density. The optimized design reduces melting and solidification times by 68.6% and 60.3%, respectively, and increases energy density by 4.9% compared to the initial design. The study further integrates the optimized thermal energy storage system into an electric vehicle thermal management strategy, analyzing its performance under real-life driving cycles in various ambient temperatures. This integration reduces total energy consumption by 20.6% compared to a baseline system. These findings offer a novel approach to improving the driving range of electric vehicles in cold climates by minimizing power demand on electric batteries for cabin heating.

Thermal performance analysis and optimization of a heat pipe-based electronic thermal management system using experimental data-driven neuro-genetic technique

Heat pipes are highly efficient heat transfer devices and are used widely to dissipate heat generated by electronic components, thereby maintaining their operating temperatures and preventing overheating. The present study deals with the thermal performance prediction of a cylindrical heat pipe (length 380 mm) based electronic thermal management system using steady-state experimental investigation. The experiments are conducted under varying operational conditions, including heat inputs (10–50 W), condenser cooling water inlet temperatures (288.15, 293.15, and 298.15 K), and flow rates (10, 25, and 40 LPH). The study shows that the evaporator temperature of the heat pipe consistently rises with the increase in heat inputs for all tested conditions. The lowest evaporator temperature (311.42 K) is noticed for the cooling water inlet temperature of 288.15 K across all heat inputs. Notably, at 10 LPH, the heat pipe supplied with cooling water at 288.15 K exhibits reductions of up to 1.47 % and 2.29 % compared to 293.15 K and 298.15 K, respectively. Similar trends are also observed at 25 LPH and 40 LPH. The heat pipe’s thermal resistance is lowest (0.95 K/W) at a cooling water inlet temperature of 298.15 K. At 10 LPH, there are reductions of 10.19 % and 5.62 % compared to 288.15 K and 293.15 K, and at 40 LPH, reductions are 15.66 % and 7.89 %. The heat pipe’s evaporator heat transfer coefficient also plays a significant role and is maximum for the cooling water inlet temperature of 288.15 K at a flow rate of 10 LPH. To understand the complex behavior of the heat pipe and for better prediction of its thermal performance, a neuro-genetic (experimental data-driven artificial neural network and genetic algorithm) optimization technique is considered in the study. This predicts the optimal combination of operating parameters (heat input, cooling water inlet temperature, and flow rate) to minimize the heat pipe’s evaporator wall temperature which is found to be 312.54 K at a heat input of 10 W, flow rate of 10 LPH, and cooling water inlet temperature of 289.14 K. These input combinations are further validated through the experiments and the error in the heat pipe’s evaporator temperature is found to be 0.66 % only. Overall, this neuro-genetic technique underscores the importance of optimizing operational parameters for enhanced heat pipe performance and offers valuable insights for electronic cooling systems.

Optimizing photovoltaic thermal systems with wavy collector Tube: A response Surface-Based design study with desirability analysis

A comprehensive simulation model and predictive analysis are employed to investigate the performance of a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system with a wavy collector tube. Response surface methodology and desirability analysis are utilized to develop a robust model that considers five critical design variables: collector wavelength, amplitude, diameter, panel width, and fluid inlet velocity. The complex interactions between these variables and their impact on the system’s energy and exergy outputs are thoroughly examined. Single and multi-objective optimization techniques are strategically applied to maximize the PVT system’s performance under various operating conditions. The results reveal that the wavy tube configuration achieves superior electrical and thermal energy efficiency compared to the conventional straight-tube design. The system’s performance is significantly enhanced by optimizing the collector amplitude, inlet velocity, diameter, wavelength, and panel width. The optimized wavy-tube PVT system demonstrates remarkable overall energy and exergy efficiencies of 85% and 14.67%, respectively, outperforming the baseline straight-tube system’s efficiencies of 72.41% and 12.72%. This research provides valuable insights into the optimal design of PVT systems and contributes to the advancement of PVT technology. The findings highlight the potential for widespread implementation of highly efficient and sustainable PVT systems in the renewable energy sector.