Natural convection in an internally finned phase change material heat sink for the thermal management of photovoltaics

M. J. Huang; P.C Eames; B. Norton; Neil Hewitt

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2011.01.008

Natural convection in an internally finned phase change material heat sink for the thermal management of photovoltaics

M. J. Huang, P.C Eames, B. Norton, Neil Hewitt

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

277 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Elevated operating temperatures reduce the solar to electrical conversion efficiency of building integrated photovoltaic devices (BIPV). Phase change materials (PCM) can be used to passively limit this temperature rise although their effectiveness is limited by their low thermal conductivities and crystallisation segregation during solidification. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of the effects of convection and crystalline segregation in a PCM as a function of efficiency of heat transfer within the finned PV/PCM system. The thermal performances of bulk PCM with crystallisation segregation for different internal fin arrangements are presented. It is noted that the addition of internal fins improves the temperature control of the PV in a PV/PCM system.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1598-1603
Journal	Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
Volume	95
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2011.01.008
Publication status	Published (in print/issue) - Jul 2011

Keywords

Phase changematerial
Building integratedphotovoltaic
Convection

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.solmat.2011.01.008

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title = "Natural convection in an internally finned phase change material heat sink for the thermal management of photovoltaics",

abstract = "Elevated operating temperatures reduce the solar to electrical conversion efficiency of building integrated photovoltaic devices (BIPV). Phase change materials (PCM) can be used to passively limit this temperature rise although their effectiveness is limited by their low thermal conductivities and crystallisation segregation during solidification. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of the effects of convection and crystalline segregation in a PCM as a function of efficiency of heat transfer within the finned PV/PCM system. The thermal performances of bulk PCM with crystallisation segregation for different internal fin arrangements are presented. It is noted that the addition of internal fins improves the temperature control of the PV in a PV/PCM system.",

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AU - Huang, M. J.

AU - Eames, P.C

AU - Norton, B.

AU - Hewitt, Neil

PY - 2011/7

Y1 - 2011/7

N2 - Elevated operating temperatures reduce the solar to electrical conversion efficiency of building integrated photovoltaic devices (BIPV). Phase change materials (PCM) can be used to passively limit this temperature rise although their effectiveness is limited by their low thermal conductivities and crystallisation segregation during solidification. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of the effects of convection and crystalline segregation in a PCM as a function of efficiency of heat transfer within the finned PV/PCM system. The thermal performances of bulk PCM with crystallisation segregation for different internal fin arrangements are presented. It is noted that the addition of internal fins improves the temperature control of the PV in a PV/PCM system.

AB - Elevated operating temperatures reduce the solar to electrical conversion efficiency of building integrated photovoltaic devices (BIPV). Phase change materials (PCM) can be used to passively limit this temperature rise although their effectiveness is limited by their low thermal conductivities and crystallisation segregation during solidification. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of the effects of convection and crystalline segregation in a PCM as a function of efficiency of heat transfer within the finned PV/PCM system. The thermal performances of bulk PCM with crystallisation segregation for different internal fin arrangements are presented. It is noted that the addition of internal fins improves the temperature control of the PV in a PV/PCM system.

KW - Phase changematerial

KW - Building integratedphotovoltaic

KW - Convection

U2 - 10.1016/j.solmat.2011.01.008

DO - 10.1016/j.solmat.2011.01.008

M3 - Article

VL - 95

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EP - 1603

JO - Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

JF - Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

IS - 7

ER -

Natural convection in an internally finned phase change material heat sink for the thermal management of photovoltaics

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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