Thermal management of the PV-PCM module via arc-porous fins

IF 5.6 3区工程技术 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Thermal Science and Engineering Progress Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-29 DOI:10.1016/j.tsep.2026.104533

Shahad S. Ibrahim , Hudhaifa Hamzah , Ali Alkhabbaz , Ahmed Albojamal , Kambiz Vafai

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study numerically simulates the thermal regulation of a photovoltaic (PV) module by combining phase change materials (PCMs) with various curved metal foam arrangements. In this simulation, both the charging (melting) and discharging (solidification) behaviors of the PCM were investigated. Five arced fin configurations were analyzed, featuring arc numbers of 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 for three different porosities (ε = 0.85, 0.9, and 0.95). The ANSYS Fluent software, based on a finite volume approach, was used to solve the melting process of PCM, and the implemented code was verified against available experimental data. This study illustrates the importance of arced metal foam structures for maximizing thermal regulation and energy storage in a PV module. The results of this study indicate that combining arc metal foam with PV-PCM modules can significantly enhance cooling and heat storage capabilities, improving PV performance compared to conventional modules. Among the considered cases, Case-E achieves the highest temporal enhancement ratio of 43% when ε = 0.85 compared to the conventional PV module design.

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PV-PCM模块通过弧孔翅片的热管理

本研究通过将相变材料（PCMs）与各种弯曲金属泡沫排列相结合，数值模拟了光伏（PV）组件的热调节。在此模拟中，研究了PCM的充电（熔化）和放电（凝固）行为。分析了5种不同孔隙率（ε = 0.85、0.9和0.95）下弧数分别为1、2、4、6和8的弧形翅片构型。采用基于有限体积法的ANSYS Fluent软件对PCM的熔化过程进行了求解，并与已有的实验数据进行了验证。这项研究说明了弧形金属泡沫结构在光伏组件中最大化热调节和能量储存的重要性。本研究结果表明，与传统组件相比，将电弧金属泡沫与PV- pcm组件结合可以显著提高PV的冷却和蓄热能力，提高PV的性能。在考虑的情况下，Case-E在ε = 0.85时，与传统光伏组件设计相比，时间增强率最高，达到43%。

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

Thermal Science and Engineering Progress Chemical Engineering-Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

10.40%

发文量

327

审稿时长

41 days

期刊介绍： Thermal Science and Engineering Progress (TSEP) publishes original, high-quality research articles that span activities ranging from fundamental scientific research and discussion of the more controversial thermodynamic theories, to developments in thermal engineering that are in many instances examples of the way scientists and engineers are addressing the challenges facing a growing population – smart cities and global warming – maximising thermodynamic efficiencies and minimising all heat losses. It is intended that these will be of current relevance and interest to industry, academia and other practitioners. It is evident that many specialised journals in thermal and, to some extent, in fluid disciplines tend to focus on topics that can be classified as fundamental in nature, or are ‘applied’ and near-market. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress will bridge the gap between these two areas, allowing authors to make an easy choice, should they or a journal editor feel that their papers are ‘out of scope’ when considering other journals. The range of topics covered by Thermal Science and Engineering Progress addresses the rapid rate of development being made in thermal transfer processes as they affect traditional fields, and important growth in the topical research areas of aerospace, thermal biological and medical systems, electronics and nano-technologies, renewable energy systems, food production (including agriculture), and the need to minimise man-made thermal impacts on climate change. Review articles on appropriate topics for TSEP are encouraged, although until TSEP is fully established, these will be limited in number. Before submitting such articles, please contact one of the Editors, or a member of the Editorial Advisory Board with an outline of your proposal and your expertise in the area of your review.