{"title":"Optimization of Phase Change Material Properties for Enhanced Thermal Performance in Building Envelopes","authors":"Akbar Halimov, Jasurjon Akhatov, Zafar Iskandarov","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X22600424","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X22600424","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study focuses on optimizing the thermophysical properties of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) integrated into building envelopes to reduce heating and cooling loads. The six key factors analyzed include PCM thickness, melting temperature, latent heat of fusion, density, specific heat capacity, and thermal conductivity. Using Taguchi orthogonal experimental design (OED) and ANOVA analysis, PCM performance was assessed across four climates: the USA, Germany, Uzbekistan, and Egypt. The study revealed that a thinner PCM layer (0.002 m) and higher latent heat of fusion (up to 231 000 J/kg) significantly reduced heating loads, particularly in colder climates like the USA and Germany, with heating load reductions ranging from 65.45 to 80.60 kWh/m<sup>2</sup> a. In warmer regions, such as Egypt and Uzbekistan, higher melting temperatures (up to 29°C) and greater thermal conductivity (up to 0.5 W/mK) contributed to better energy performance, reducing cooling loads from 207.05 to 124.81 kWh/m<sup>2</sup> a. The findings demonstrate that optimizing latent heat and density is crucial, with these factors having the highest impact on energy savings across all climates. Specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity, while important, showed less significant effects. Despite these promising results, limitations include the need for further investigation into the long-term durability and cost-effectiveness of PCMs. Future research should focus on large-scale implementation and environmental sustainability. In conclusion, PCM-enhanced building envelopes present a viable solution for improving energy efficiency, and this study highlights the importance of tailoring PCM properties to specific climate conditions to maximize their effectiveness.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"60 4","pages":"636 - 648"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143521615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T. K. Turdaliev, R. Kh. Ashurov, Kh. Kh. Zokhidov, F. I. Abdurakhmanov, Kh. B. Ashurov
{"title":"Growth and Optical Parameters of ZnO Films on Macroporous Silicon Obtained by Atomic Layer Deposition","authors":"T. K. Turdaliev, R. Kh. Ashurov, Kh. Kh. Zokhidov, F. I. Abdurakhmanov, Kh. B. Ashurov","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X24602448","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X24602448","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The present study is aimed at investigating the process of forming zinc oxide films on macroporous silicon using thermal atomic layer deposition. The macroporous silicon substrate is fabricated by electrochemical etching of a p-type monocrystalline silicon wafer. The ZnO film is deposited at 200°C using diethylzinc (DEZ) and water (H<sub>2</sub>O) as precursors. Scanning electron microscopy results confirm uniform coverage of the macroporous silicon surface by the film. Elemental analysis by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy shows that the film consists of zinc and oxygen atoms. Raman scattering confirms the structure of the film as the crystalline phase of ZnO. Spectroscopic ellipsometry accurately determined with high precision the film thickness at 46 nm and the surface roughness at 4 nm. In addition, the optical properties of the film, including absorption coefficient, refractive index, and optical bandgap, are investigated. The results indicate a high transparency of the ZnO film in the visible spectrum and its ability to absorb ultraviolet radiation. The optical bandgap of 3.28 eV, Urbach tail in the absorption spectrum, and the detected roughness on the film surface indicate its polycrystalline nature and inhomogeneous crystal growth. The results show that ZnO films obtained by thermal atomic layer deposition can be used as transparent conducting electrodes in photoconverters due to their high transparency in the visible range. In addition, this method has the potential to create finely tunable ZnO/porous Si heterostructures with a large specific surface area.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"60 4","pages":"609 - 616"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143521578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dilshod Jalilov, Tukhtamurod Juraev, Abbos Ibodullaev, Sagdulla Lutpullaev, Akbar Halimov
{"title":"Temperature Distribution in the Receiver tube of a Parabolic Trough Collector with Nanofluid","authors":"Dilshod Jalilov, Tukhtamurod Juraev, Abbos Ibodullaev, Sagdulla Lutpullaev, Akbar Halimov","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X24600127","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X24600127","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In recent advancements within the realm of Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC), a noteworthy stride has been made through the adoption of novel thermal fluids known as nanofluids. This study specifically delves into the numerical investigation of the impact of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) nanofluid as a heat transfer medium on the performance of an indigenously developed parabolic trough collector. In the evaluation, water and MWCNT nanofluid were employed as heat carriers within the PTC tube. The investigation considered variations in flow velocities at the tube entrance, ranging from 0.1, 0.08, and 0.05 m/s. The resulting temperature change differences along the length of the PTC tube were observed to be 1.3, 1.7, and 2.7 K, respectively. Given the absence of specific studies addressing the essential three-dimensional distribution of absorber tube temperatures in parabolic trough collectors, our investigation sought to fill this gap through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. The study aims to contribute insights into the nuanced temperature distribution within the absorber tube, shedding light on the potential benefits of employing MWCNT nanofluids in enhancing the thermal performance of parabolic trough collectors.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"60 4","pages":"629 - 635"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143521614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Current State and Ways of Further Improvement of Solar Heat Supply Systems and Their Implementation in the Sharply Continental Climate of Uzbekistan","authors":"Yu. K. Rashidov","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X23602041","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X23602041","url":null,"abstract":"<p>An analysis of the level of technical solutions for solar heating systems constructed in Uzbekistan was carried out. The importance of organizing statistical monitoring of facilities equipped with such systems in the republic was noted. The introduction of solar power plants in the climatic conditions of Uzbekistan requires solving problems related to protecting solar collectors from freezing of the coolant in winter and boiling in summer, removing dust from glass surfaces, and ensuring effective heat accumulation. However, the technical solutions used to solve these problems in most cases do not meet the basic efficiency and reliability requirements of the building codes and regulations for solar power plants currently in force in the republic. The analysis also took into account the latest scientific achievements aimed at improving the efficiency of solar collectors under real operating conditions. It was noted that during the construction and installation of solar heating systems, in most cases, individual design solutions tailored to each facility’s specific features are not developed; instead, ready-made factory-produced modules are installed. This leads to higher costs for heat storage systems and significant heat losses due to the use of numerous small individual storage tanks, which collectively have a large surface area of heat exchange with the environment. It has been shown that for solar water heaters with a five-section accumulator, heat losses to the environment and material consumption for manufacturing increase by 2 to 2.63 times compared to a compact accumulator with minimal surface area. It is recommended that for solar collectors operating with natural circulation, a five-section accumulator should be considered the maximum permissible configuration for solar water heating systems with horizontal cylindrical accumulators, where the ratio of their dimensions <i>L</i>/<i>D</i> > 1.5.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"60 4","pages":"617 - 628"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143521613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Computer Modeling of the Temperature Regime of Solar Panels using Global Climate Databases","authors":"L. Knysh, D. Zakharov","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X24600115","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X24600115","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The results of computer modeling of temperature distribution in the layers of a solar panel, obtained using global climate databases, are presented. The non-stationary mathematical model for determining temperatures in the solar panel included approximation functions for solar flux density, wind speed, and ambient temperature. The approximation functions corresponded to the selected day of the year and the geographic data. These approximation functions were constructed in the program code based on regression analysis of data from global climate databases, both in real-time and archived. The adequacy of the mathematical model, numerical algorithm, and computer simulation results was confirmed through comparison with experimental data. The proposed approach allows determining the impact of real climate data on the temperature of the solar panel, identifying the errors when using average climate data for the solar panel’s location, finding the correlation between changes in climate data during daylight and the temperature regime of the solar panel, and calculating changes in the solar panel’s efficiency based on its temperature. Computer modeling was performed for a solar panel in which polycrystalline silicon solar cells were positioned between two glass surfaces. However, the proposed approach is universal and, with minor modifications, can be used to determine the thermal and energy characteristics of a solar panel with any design and any type of solar cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"60 4","pages":"595 - 603"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2024-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143521605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohammad A. S. Khasawneh, Asem Alemam, Ameer Hamza
{"title":"Simulation and Optimization of 100 MW Central Tower CSP Power Plant","authors":"Mohammad A. S. Khasawneh, Asem Alemam, Ameer Hamza","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X24602369","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X24602369","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Central tower concentrated solar power (CSP) systems are considered the most mature clean technology to substitute conventional power plants. This work incorporates a simulation and optimization study on a 100 MW central tower CSP plant with 15 h of thermal energy storage in Dubai, UAE. The main performance indicators studied are the capacity factor (CF) and the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). At first, a parametric study was conducted by varying 10 different operational and geometrical parameters to observe their impact on CF and LCOE using System Advisor Model (SAM) software. The 4 most significant parameters included were hot and cold HTF temperatures, tower height and the heliostat area. A total number of 81 SAM simulations were performed and obtained data sets were used for data regression to find the coefficients of the decision variables in the objective functions to either minimize LCOE or maximize CF. Results showed that the data regression performed accurately with an error of less than 1% compared to the simulated results. The maximum CF was found to be 48.3% where the minimum obtained LCOE value was 13.22 c/kWh. The optimized parameter values can lead to a substantial performance enhancement of 17.8% in the CF and 19.3% compared to the base case scenario obtained by SAM.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"60 4","pages":"533 - 545"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2024-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143521606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohammed Ali Hadj Ammar, Boubaker Benhaoua, Nitin D. Banker, Kelifa Salhi, Yacine Marif, Afak Benazzouz
{"title":"Performance Evaluation and Feasibility of a New Pairs Adsorption Cycle Powered by Different Sources of Energy","authors":"Mohammed Ali Hadj Ammar, Boubaker Benhaoua, Nitin D. Banker, Kelifa Salhi, Yacine Marif, Afak Benazzouz","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X23600881","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X23600881","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Adsorption cooling system (ACS) is one of the promising alternatives to the conventional vapor compression refrigeration system (VCRS) due to its advantage of driven by low grade thermal energy instead of electric power. However due to its lower efficiency, a significant research works is in progress worldwide. In view of this, the presented paper proposes a methodology to predict the required optimum heat source temperature of two different ACSs based on novel environment friendly pairs of activated carbon-methanol and silica gel-water for the ice-making and water chiller applications, respectively and their performance analysis. Performance parameters, cooling capacity, thermal efficiency, and coefficient of performance (COP) have been used to derive the limits of source temperature and applied to two different ACS. Further feasibility study has been carried out integrating economic and environmental perceptions for the El Oued city, Algeria. The performance analysis of CarboTech A35/1/CH<sub>3</sub>OH showed the maximum ice production of 16.17 kg/day for the generator temperatures of 358–378 K with a COP of 0.65. The analysis of S40/H<sub>2</sub>O application showed the maximum chilled water of 7.88 kg/day for the generator temperatures of 348–37 K having COP of 0.74. The economic analysis suggests that hot water generation with solar energy is a better option as compared to geothermal resource.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"60 4","pages":"574 - 594"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2024-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143521604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
V. G. Dyskin, S. X. Suleymanov, M. U. Djanklich, N. A. Kulagina, U. B. Hamdamov
{"title":"Modeling of Antireflective Gradient Coatings for Solar Cells","authors":"V. G. Dyskin, S. X. Suleymanov, M. U. Djanklich, N. A. Kulagina, U. B. Hamdamov","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X24602722","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X24602722","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A computer simulation of antireflective gradient coatings for a transparent substrate of a photovoltaic battery and a silicon solar cell has been performed. The simulation results have shown that porous and gradient porous films deposited on glass increase the relative efficiency of a silicon solar cell by 8.0%. The influence of precipitation on the antireflection effect of glass is considered. It has been shown that filling the entire pore volume with water does not influence the antireflection effect: the relative efficiency of the solar cell increases by 6.8%. If we assume that the pores are completely filled with soot, then the relative efficiency of the solar cell will decrease by 50%. A gradient antireflection coating based on a mixture of MgF<sub>2</sub>–CaF<sub>2</sub> is of practical interest since it may increase the relative efficiency of the solar cell by 6.2%. The simulation has established that the short-circuit current density can be increased to 40.0 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> if a gradient antireflective coating based on a SiO<sub>2</sub>–Si mixture is deposited on the surface of a silicon solar cell.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"60 4","pages":"559 - 565"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2024-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143521608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. A. Kudusov, U. Madvaliev, A. R. Muqumov, S. F. Abdullaev, S. A. Kudusova
{"title":"The Effect of Dust Deposition on the Performance of Solar Panels in the Conditions of the City of Dushanbe","authors":"M. A. Kudusov, U. Madvaliev, A. R. Muqumov, S. F. Abdullaev, S. A. Kudusova","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X23602028","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X23602028","url":null,"abstract":"<p>It is known that the deposited dust prevents the passage of sunlight and reduces the transmission coefficient of solar energy, which, in turn, affects the efficiency of solar panels. This study estimated the effect of dust particles on power losses in a photovoltaic module by measuring electrical characteristics such as voltage, current, and power under standard conditions. It is shown that at a dust density of 0.427 mg/cm<sup>2</sup>, the panel performance decreases to 36%. The analysis of the effect of dust accumulation on the performance of a solar photovoltaic plant in the conditions of the city of Dushanbe showed that the non-proportional dependence of the output power of photovoltaic modules on the intensity of solar radiation in summer is a consequence of the accumulation of dust on the surface of photovoltaic modules. It is shown that in the conditions of the city of Dushanbe, during the study period of June–July 2023, three dust storms were recorded, which reduced the efficiency of solar photovoltaic power plants (SPPPs) by 22%, i.e., each dust storm led to a decrease of 7–9%. The most effective time to clean the panels is 3–4 days after a dust storm, since during this period the dust settles on the surface of the solar panels. Knowing the nature of dust deposition allows you to find possible solutions and methods for cleaning solar panels to mitigate the effects of dust.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"60 4","pages":"566 - 573"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2024-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143521667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. S. Paizullakhanov, O. R. Parpiev, Zh. Z. Shermatov, E. Z. Nodirmatov, O. T. Rajamatov
{"title":"Hydrogen Storage on Porous Absorbers with a Zeolite Composition","authors":"M. S. Paizullakhanov, O. R. Parpiev, Zh. Z. Shermatov, E. Z. Nodirmatov, O. T. Rajamatov","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X24602904","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X24602904","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The processes of hydrogen absorption in porous ceramic materials have been studied. The results of the synthesis of porous materials for use in hydrogen absorbers are presented. The dependences of the degree of hydrogen absorption on the composition of the absorber, as well as on the temperature of hydrogen sorption, are obtained. It is shown that aluminosilicate materials synthesized from raw materials fused in a solar furnace with a specific surface area of 2500 cm<sup>2</sup>/g can be used as hydrogen absorbers for the physical binding of hydrogen in pores by Van der Waltz forces at high (30–50 atm) pressures. It was revealed that the aspect number, i.e., the ability of the material to absorb hydrogen at 200°C, varies from composition to composition. The maximum value of the aspect number (4.3 wt %) corresponds to a material with a diatomite content of 70 wt % and burnout additives of 20% by weight. It is shown that a porous material based on AlSiNaO sodium aluminosilicate with lattice parameter <i>a</i> = 4.056 А is a good hydrogen absorber. With an increase in the temperature of the sorption process from 100 to 190°C, the value of the aspect number increases from 3 wt % up to 13 wt %.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"60 4","pages":"604 - 608"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2024-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143521668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}