Heat transfer enhancement of concentrated solar absorber using hollow cylindrical fins filled with phase change material

A concentrated solar absorber with finned phase change materials was experimentally studied using a Scheffler type parabolic dish concentrator. The absorber's inner surface was fixed with hollow cylindrical containers filled with phase change material (PCM) for heat transfer augmentation. The absorber's selected PCM was acetanilide (Melting point of 116 °C)—the cylindrical capsules protruding into the fluid side to create turbulence and mixing and acting as fins. The absorber surface temperature was observed to be about 130–150 °C during the outdoor tests while passing fluid through the absorber. The fluid flow rate varied from 60 to 100 kg/h during the outdoor experiments. The peak energy and exergy efficiency of parabolic dish collector (PDC) at the fluid flow rate of 80 kg/h with PCM integrated solar absorber was found to be about 67.88% and 6.96%, respectively. The integration of cylindrical PCM containers resulted in more heat transfer augmentation in the solar absorbers. The optimized solar absorber could be suitable for various applications like steam generation, biomass gasification, space heating, and hydrogen generation.     

Hydrogen production performance of a photovoltaic thermal system coupled with a proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell

As one of the cleanest energies, hydrogen has attracted much attention over the past decade. Hydrogen can be produced using water electrolysis in a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis Cell (PEMEC). In the present study, the performance of the PEMEC, powered by the Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) system, is scrutinized. It is considered that the PVT system provides the required electrical power of the PEMEC and preheats the feedwater. A comprehensive numerical model of the coupled PVT-PEMEC system is developed. The model is used to investigate the effect of various operating parameters, including solar radiation intensity, inlet feedwater temperature, and feedwater mass flow rate, on the hydrogen production and operating voltage of the PEMEC at various Exchange Current Densities (ECDs). Furthermore, the effect of integration of Phase Change Material (PCM) and Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) on the hydrogen production of the system is evaluated. According to the obtained results, the PVT-TEG-PEMEC system outperforms other systems in hydrogen production. However, integration of the PVT-PEMEC system with PCM has a negligible effect on its hydrogen production.     

Recent Developments in Integrated Solar Combined Cycle Power Plants

Global concern for depleting fossil fuel reserves have been compelling for evolving power generation options using renewable energy sources. The solar energy happens to be a potential source for running the power plants among renewable energy sources. Integrated Solar Combined Cycle(ISCC) power plants have gained popularity among the thermal power plants. Traditional ISCC power plants use Direct Steam Generation(DSG) approach. However, with the DSG method, the ISCC plant’s overall thermal efficiency does not increase significantly due to variations in the availability of solar energy. Thermal Energy Storage(TES) systems when integrated into the solar cycle can address such issues related to energy efficiency, process flexibility, reducing intermittency during non-solar hours. This review work focuses and discusses the developments in various components of the ISCC system including its major cycles and related parameters. The main focus is on CSP technologies, Heat Transfer Fluid(HTF), and Phase Change Material(PCM) used for thermal energy storage. Further, study includes heat enhancement methods with HTF and latent heat storage system. This study will be beneficial to the power plant professionals intending to modify the solar-based Combined Cycle Power Plant(CCPP) and to retrofit the existing Natural Gas Combined Cycle(NGCC) plant with the advanced solar cycle.     

填充板状定形相变材料蓄热槽蓄/放热特性实验研究

对填充了板状定形相变材料、以水作为热媒的蓄热槽的蓄/放热特性进行了实验研究;重点考察了热媒的流速、流动方向及进口温度的变化对蓄热槽蓄/放热特性的影响,认为在蓄热过程,热媒在蓄热槽内的流动方向宜上进下出,放热过程则相反;热媒进口温度和速度对栽蓄热槽的蓄/放热时间都有影响,前者的影响更为显著.     

PCM聚合物水泥砂浆及混凝土治理渗漏的工艺

结合工程实例，介绍了某小区地下室进行防水、堵漏处理的治理原则，从材料要求、配合比及其性能指标等方面对该工程所需材料进行了论述，分别对墙体施工工艺及地面施工工艺进行了阐述，以推广该技术。     

填充了球状相变材料的蓄热槽放热特性的数值分析

用数值模拟的方法，将填充了球型相变材料(PCM)的蓄热槽内部划分为蓄热体和热媒体两个计算区域，分别建立数学模型，解决了内部相变导热的蓄热体区和流动的热媒体区求解时互为条件的耦合问题；应用焓法计算蓄热体内部的相变过程。得出了与国外实验结果吻合的结果。     

Modeling of phase change material peak load shifting

This paper addresses potential peak air conditioning load shifting strategies using encapsulated phase change materials. The materials being considered here are designed to be installed within the ceiling or wall insulation to assist in delaying the peak air conditioning demand times until later in the evening. To assist in understanding the behavior of this material, an idealized model has been developed which uses the one-dimensional diffusion equation driven by time varying temperature functions imposed at the boundaries. In developing the model, the phase change temperature is a critical parameter, as is the latent heat of melting. These variables are treated parametrically. Other variables such as the characteristic ambient temperature variations and the thermostat set point are varied relative to the phase change temperature. Comparisons are made to the temporal variations of the heat flows without the application of the phase change material to those with the phase change material.     

ETFE薄膜在游泳馆中应用的防结露分析

通过分析围护结构不同部位发生结露的主要原因,有针对性地给出了防结露的解决方案,保证了游泳馆的正常使用。为双层薄膜围护结构系统的防结露设计提供了理论参考。     

Positioning of an isothermal heat storage layer in a building wall exposed to the external environment

The paper presents an idea for the enhancement of a building's thermal insulation component by adding into the structure a thin layer of a phase-change material (PCM). The proposed solution can be dedicated, for example, to an external partition of lightweight construction. The capacity for latent heat storage allowed it to stabilize the temperature inside the insulation layer in a daily cycle and to minimize the temperature difference between the internal and external surfaces. In this paper, different positions of a PCM layer in the thermal insulation of an external wall were analysed. The main goal of this work was to find the best position of the PCM layer, taking into account the indoor temperature and the meteorological conditions. The authors propose two parameters: the amount of stored energy and the dynamism of the charging/discharging processes. Taking into account large temperature fluctuations on the external surface during summer and winter, it was concluded that, for this specific case, the most appropriate solution would be an external position of the PCM with a melting temperature of 20°C.     

中温相变蓄热装置的蓄放热性能研究

以相变温度为80℃的相变蓄热装置为研究对象,根据建立的相变传热分析模型,应用数值模拟的方法,研究了蓄热体——相变材料的热物性参数、几何尺寸、填充率,以及热媒体——热水的流速等因素对蓄热装置蓄、放热规律及其特性的影响．研究结果表明,当板状定形相变材料的导热系数在0．4W/(m·K)左右、板厚为8 mm、相变材料的填充率在65%～75%、热媒体流速为5～8mm/s时,蓄热装置可获得较高的蓄、放热效率．