4.4 Article

Experimental study on thermal management and performance improvement of solar PV panel cooling using form stable phase change material

Publisher

TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC
DOI: 10.1080/15567036.2020.1806409

Keywords

PV panel cooling; thermal management; form stable phase change material; power; efficiency

Ask authors/readers for more resources

This study used polyethylene glycol/expanded graphite form stable phase change material for cooling solar PV panels, resulting in a significant reduction in surface temperature, improved efficiency, and prolonged lifespan compared to traditional air cooling methods.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels are used for the conversion of solar radiation into electrical energy. The solar radiation increases the photovoltaic cell temperature. The increase in temperature decreases the power output and the efficiency of the solar PV panel. In this study, polyethylene glycol/expanded graphite form stable phase change material (FSPCM) was prepared and used for solar PV panel cooling, since it has a high latent heat of fusion and shape stabilization. This FSPCM maintained the shape and good thermal contact between the panel and phase change material during the process of melting and cooling of the panel. The total thermal management and performance improvement of solar PV panel cooling using polyethylene glycol/expanded graphite form stable phase change material was studied by experimental method. The novel proposed that PV panel performance was compared with the existing air passive cooling method (heat sink). The reduction of panel surface temperature obtained for the heat sink based PV panel and finned composite PCM based PV panel are 9.45 degrees C and 11.5 degrees C, respectively. The overall improved PV panel efficiency for the proposed PV panel is 3.667%, which is higher than the conventional cooling technique (heat sink), i.e. 1.072%. The results indicate that the solar PV panel can be cooled by FSPCM in the temperature range of 35-40 degrees C to increase the power output, efficiency, and life span of the panels.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.4
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

Article Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of the Bimetallic Wire Arc Additively Manufactured Structure (BAMS) of SS304L and SS308L Fabricated by Hybrid Manufacturing Process

Sirisha Bhadrakali Ainapurapu, Venkata Anantha Ramasastry Devulapalli, Ram Prabhu Theagarajan, Bharat Kumar Chigilipalli, Ravi Kumar Kottala, Muralimohan Cheepu

Summary: The manufacturing of stainless steel components is important and challenging for various industrial sectors. Hot forging and precision machining are necessary for producing high-performance and high-production stainless steel components. While 3D printing/additive manufacturing can create near-net-shape components, it is time-consuming and costly for large-scale parts. Therefore, combining forging operations and additive manufacturing offers many advantages by creating a hybrid-manufacturing route. This study combined hot forged SS304L with wire arc additive manufacturing deposits of SS308L to create bimetallic parts. By using different modes of pulse and spray MIG-based WAAM for deposition, excellent mechanical properties were achieved in the interface and deposited wall. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the forged and deposited components were similar to those of conventionally processed stainless steel, indicating that hybrid-manufacturing technologies can achieve the required mechanical properties. Based on the microstructural and mechanical properties, the pulse deposition mode showed good results in the hybrid-manufacturing technology. The combination of forging and additive manufacturing can enhance material properties and increase flexibility for fabricating components compared to traditional forging techniques.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF METALS (2023)

Article Chemistry, Physical

Preparation and characterisation of binary eutectic phase change material/activated porous bio char/multi walled carbon nano tubes as composite phase change material

Balasubramanian Karuppudayar Ramaraj, Ravi Kumar Kottala

Summary: The primary purpose of this study is to develop a novel composite phase change material for medium temperature thermal energy storage systems. The proposed material consists of a binary eutectic PCM, a supporting material, and thermal conductivity-improving particles. The addition of activated biochar and multiwalled carbon nanotubes increases the thermal conductivity and stability of the eutectic chloride.

FULLERENES NANOTUBES AND CARBON NANOSTRUCTURES (2023)

Article Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Oxidation behavior of near nanostructured coating developed by the HVOF process

Shankar Rengarajan, Balasubramanian Karuppudayar Ramaraj, Sivapirakasam Suthangathan Paramashivan, Senthilkumar Velusamy

Summary: The oxidation behavior of microstructured and near nanostructured Cr3C2-Ni-Cr-B-Si coated superalloy has been studied, with the near nanostructured coating showing better oxidation resistance than the microstructured one.

MATERIALS AND CORROSION-WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION (2023)

Article Thermodynamics

A dual-mode novel Parabolic Trough Collector for process heating applications in small scale industries-Thermo-hydraulic and performance investigation

B. S. Jinshah, K. R. Balasubramanian, Kottala Ravikumar, S. Divakar

Summary: Solar energy for industrial processes is not widely used, but this study proposes a new dual-mode Parabolic Trough Collector based on an Open Natural Circulation Loop. The system is evaluated for its suitability in providing hot water/low enthalpy steam for process heating applications, especially in rural areas. Experimental assessments, economic analysis, and environmental impact are conducted, showing the system's potential in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and emission reduction.

APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING (2023)

Article Thermodynamics

Comparative study on the thermal performance of microencapsulated phase change material slurry in tortuous geometry microchannel heat sink

R. John Peter, K. R. Balasubramanian, K. Ravi Kumar

Summary: This study investigates the thermo-hydraulic performance of microencapsulated phase change material slurry (MPCMS) in different rectangular microchannel configurations. The experimental results demonstrate that MPCMS improves the heat transfer rate, particularly in zigzag microchannels with low titanium encapsulation.

APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING (2023)

Article Thermodynamics

Experimental investigation on paraffin encapsulated with Silica and Titanium shell in the straight and re-entrant microchannel heat sinks

K. R. Balasubramanian, R. John Peter, B. S. Jinshah

Summary: This study investigates the thermal performance of micro-encapsulated paraffin slurry in different shapes and combinations of microchannel heat sinks. The experimental results show that the low concentration micro-encapsulated phase change slurry exhibits higher heat transfer performance than de-ionized water in all configurations.

HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER (2023)

Article Energy & Fuels

Thermal Degradation Studies and Machine Learning Modelling of Nano-Enhanced Sugar Alcohol-Based Phase Change Materials for Medium Temperature Applications

Ravi Kumar Kottala, Bharat Kumar Chigilipalli, Srinivasnaik Mukuloth, Ragavanantham Shanmugam, Venkata Charan Kantumuchu, Sirisha Bhadrakali Ainapurapu, Muralimohan Cheepu

Summary: Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to compare the thermal stability of pure phase change material (D-mannitol) and nano-enhanced PCM (NEPCM) containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Kinetics of degradation were analyzed using Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), and Starink models. Activation energies for pure PCM ranged from 66.53-79.36 kJ/mol, while NEPCM (1% MWCNT) had activation energies ranging from 52.28-76.59 kJ/mol. Machine learning models accurately predicted the degradation of NEPCM samples using input parameters such as nanoparticles weight fraction, heating rate, and temperature.

ENERGIES (2023)

Article Thermodynamics

Experimental investigation and machine learning modelling of phase change material-based receiver tube for natural circulated solar parabolic trough system under various weather conditions

Ravi Kumar Kottala, K. R. Balasubramanian, B. S. Jinshah, S. Divakar, Bharat Kumar Chigilipalli

Summary: This research evaluates the performance of a novel parabolic trough collector (PTC) with a naturally circulated open loop under different classes of solar radiation data. The use of phase change material (PCM) in the receiver tubes improves the overall thermal efficiency compared to bare tubes. Additionally, machine learning models, particularly the Gaussian process regression (GPR) model, can accurately predict the instantaneous thermal efficiency of the developed system under different solar radiation classes.

JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY (2023)

Article Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Investigation of microstructure, mechanical, and corrosion properties of Inconel 617 joints welded by laser-MIG hybrid welding

G. Pramod Kumar, K. R. Balasubramanian, K. V. Phani Prabhakar, Muralimohan Cheepu

Summary: In this study, laser-MIG hybrid welding was used to weld 10mm thick Inconel 617 plates, and the welds were analyzed for microstructure, mechanical, and corrosion properties. The microstructure of the weld zone consisted of cellular crystals with dendrites and equiaxed sub-grains. XRD analysis revealed dominant gamma and gamma prime phases, as well as minor carbide peaks. The base metal had lower hardness and higher impact energy compared to the weld joints. The weld joints exhibited good bend ductility and an increase in wire feed rates resulted in increased corrosion rate.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PART L-JOURNAL OF MATERIALS-DESIGN AND APPLICATIONS (2023)

Article Chemistry, Physical

CHARACTERIZATION OF CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF INCONEL 617 WELDED JOINTS USING CMT-GMAW MULTI-CONTROL WELDING

G. Pramod Kumar, K. R. Balasubramanian, Muralimohan Cheepu, Ravi kumar Kottala

Summary: This study investigated the effect of CMT-GMAW multi-control welding on the microstructure, hardness, and electrochemical properties of Inconel 617 alloy. The results showed that increasing the wire feed rate led to a decrease in microhardness and an increase in corrosion rate. This was attributed to increased carbide precipitation and segregation, resulting in poorer corrosion resistance compared to the base metal.

SURFACE REVIEW AND LETTERS (2023)

Article Engineering, Manufacturing

Moisture absorption study and mechanical property prediction on 3D printed parts using hybrid neural network models

Divakar Senthilvel, K. R. Balasubramanian, B. S. Jinshah

Summary: This research article explores the impact of printing layer thickness and infill percentage on the water intake ability and mechanical properties of 3D printed PLA parts. The results show that increasing infill percentage and reducing layer thickness can improve the bending and tensile properties of the parts. Additionally, an adaptive model between the input parameters and mechanical properties is developed using ANFIS and ANN-TLBO methods.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTERACTIVE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING - IJIDEM (2023)

No Data Available