Structure optimization of U-tube solar collector integrated with phase change materials

IF 6.1 2区工程技术 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Applied Thermal Engineering Pub Date : 2024-11-22 DOI:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2024.125052

Xueyang Wang , Dong Li , Fanbin Meng , Yangyang Wu , Ruitong Yang , Meng Gao , Changyu Liu

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Abstract

Solar collectors are significantly influenced by weather conditions, leading to a mismatch between thermal energy production and demand. To mitigate this issue, U-tube solar collectors integrated with phase change material (PCM) were investigated to store excess solar energy and regulate the temperature of collectors. This study investigates the effects of fin spacing and fin length on the heat transfer performance of these collectors under various conditions. Additionally, the impact of different collector tube lengths was analyzed. The results show that adding fins in solar collectors enhances temperature distribution uniformity and accelerates the PCM melting process. And the addition of fins to the U-tube produces faster temperature increase and significant improvement of temperature uniformity. In configurations featuring with fin length 20 mm and fin spacing 30 mm, the average PCM temperature decreased by 9.4 % and the liquid fraction decreased by 10.2 %, compared with non-finned. Smaller fin spacing or longer fins can improve heat transfer efficiency, and reduce PCM temperatures and liquid fractions. The 2L configuration exhibited optimal performance with an average PCM temperature of 330 K and a liquid fraction of 0.60 and achieved a significant reduction in time to reach 318 K by 47.9 % when compared to the L configuration.

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相变材料集成u型管太阳能集热器结构优化

太阳能集热器受天气条件的影响很大，导致热能生产和需求之间的不匹配。为了解决这一问题，研究了集成相变材料（PCM）的u型管太阳能集热器，以存储多余的太阳能并调节集热器的温度。研究了不同条件下翅片间距和翅片长度对集热器传热性能的影响。此外，还分析了不同集热器管长度的影响。结果表明，在太阳能集热器中加入翅片可以提高温度分布的均匀性，加快PCM熔化过程。在u型管上增加翅片，升温速度更快，温度均匀性得到显著改善。当翅片长度为20 mm，翅片间距为30 mm时，与无翅片相比，PCM平均温度降低了9.4%，液分率降低了10.2%。较小的翅片间距或较长的翅片可以提高传热效率，降低PCM温度和液体馏分。2L结构在平均PCM温度为330k，液体分数为0.60时表现出最佳性能，与L结构相比，达到318 K的时间显著缩短了47.9%。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Applied Thermal Engineering 工程技术-工程：机械

CiteScore

11.30

自引率

15.60%

发文量

1474

审稿时长

57 days

期刊介绍： Applied Thermal Engineering disseminates novel research related to the design, development and demonstration of components, devices, equipment, technologies and systems involving thermal processes for the production, storage, utilization and conservation of energy, with a focus on engineering application. The journal publishes high-quality and high-impact Original Research Articles, Review Articles, Short Communications and Letters to the Editor on cutting-edge innovations in research, and recent advances or issues of interest to the thermal engineering community.