article · International Journal of Thermofluids
A three-dimensional numerical investigation evaluated a dual-fluid cooling mechanism designed to enhance heat extraction and overall thermal efficiency in monocrystalline photovoltaic-thermal collectors. The approach uses dual aluminium heat exchangers mounted directly to the rear of the solar panel, circulating both air and an aluminium oxide water-based nanofluid simultaneously. The simulation tested nanoparticle concentrations ranging from 0.0 percent to 1.0 percent under a constant liquid mass flow rate of 0.01 kilograms per second alongside airflow. Model reliability was established by benchmarking results against published experimental data. Increasing the nanoparticle volume fraction directly improved performance, raising the system thermal efficiency from 46.63 percent with pure water to 63.28 percent at a 1.0 percent concentration. Operating with a 1.0 percent nanofluid concentration under these flow conditions delivered the most effective panel cooling and highest thermal gains.
Photovoltaic panels lose operational performance as their operating temperatures rise under direct sunlight. Combining air and nanofluid cooling in dual heat exchangers extracts excess heat more effectively than conventional single-medium approaches. Enhancing thermal conversion efficiency enables hybrid solar systems to generate both electricity and usable heat more effectively, supporting the development of higher-performing renewable energy solutions.
This research provides design parameters for solar technology developers seeking to build hybrid photovoltaic-thermal modules with enhanced heat removal. Because the findings derive from three-dimensional numerical simulations validated against existing literature rather than a new physical prototype, the technology sits at an early design and modelling stage. Commercial implementation would require physical fabrication, field trials, and assessments of nanofluid pumping demands and long-term operational stability.
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This study aims to use a cooling technology for photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collectors more effective in terms of cooling and enhancing the thermal efficiency of the system in general. This was done by using bi-fluid modes (air and Al2O3-water nanofluid), which are characterized by being more effective in terms of cooling and enhancing the overall thermal efficiency of the system. To achieve this, aluminum dual exchangers were incorporated with an aluminum back surface of the monocrystalline photovoltaic panels. The cooling was achieved using the Al2O3-water nanofluid at various concentrations of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1% with a steady flow of water at 0.01 kg/s and at a simultaneous airflow rate. Also, the effect of different levels of Al2O3 nanoparticle concentrations (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1%) was studied to identify the optimal concentration of Al2O3-water nanofluids that achieves the highest rates of cooling and thermal efficiency of PVT collectors. The 3D numerical model was validated using the previous experimental published data. The results showed that the total thermal efficiency of PVT modules with the bi-fluid modes is equal to 46.63%, 48.96%, 52.39%, 54.13%, 59.43%, and 63.28%, for Al2O3-water nanofluids concentrations of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1%, respectively. The PV module with the bi-fluid modes (air and Al2O3-water nanofluids with 1% concentration) at a steady flow of water at 0.01 kg/s is the best design for effective cooling of PV panels, which can contribute to more sustainable and energy-efficient solar energy conversion systems.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.ijft.2023.100523
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