escobar simulation of the convective heat transfer and working temperature field of a photovoltaic...

1
Solved with Comsol Multiphysics 5.0 Simulation of the Convective Heat Transfer and Working Temperature Field of a Photovoltaic Module Using COMSOL Multiphysics E. Ruiz-Reina and M. Sidrach-de-Cardona Departamento de Física Aplicada II, Universidad de Málaga. Corresponding author: Escuela de Ingenierías, Campus de Teatinos, s/n, 29071, Málaga, Spain, [email protected] Abstract: The aim of the author’s work is the numerical study, by finite element analysis using COMSOL Multiphysics, of the convective heat transfer and working temperature field of a photovoltaic module under different wind conditions. Keywords: Photovoltaic Modules, Temperature, Heat Flux, Convection Cooling. 1. Introduction It is well-known that a great portion of the solar radiation absorbed by a photovoltaic module (typically 85% of the incident radiation) is not converted into electrical energy, but it is wasted by the increase of the module’s temperature, reducing its efficiency by heat transfer with the surrounding medium [2, 3]. In this contribution the authors performed a numerical study, using COMSOL Multiphysics, of the convective heat transfer and working temperature field of a photovoltaic module under different wind conditions. The working temperature of photovoltaic modules depends on different environmental factors as the ambient temperature, the solar irradiation, the relative humidity, the direction and speed of the wind; and physical factors as the construction materials and the particular installation of the module [2]. For ease, the authors have chosen a very simple module with a unique Silicon cell. A schematic of the simulation system is shown in Figure 1. It is supposed that the module is installed forming 3Oº with the horizontal axis. All the thermal and fluid parameters of the materials involved have been found in the literature [4]. This model is intended to replicate the results of the authors and as a first introduction to simulations of fluid flow and conjugate heat transfer. It also shows the following important points: How to draw an air box around a device in order to model convective cooling in this box. How to set a total heat flux on a boundary using automatic area computation. How to display results in an efficient way using selections in data sets. The model is also described in detail in the book Introduction to the Heat Transfer Module. An extension of the model that takes surface-to-surface radiation into account is also available; see Heat Sink with Surface-to-Surface Radiation. 2. Using COMSOL Multiphysics 2.1 Model Definition The modeled system consists of a single silicon cell photovoltaic module mounted inside a 1 | HEAT TRANSFER

Upload: hockpin

Post on 16-Aug-2015

224 views

Category:

Documents


10 download

DESCRIPTION

Convective heat transfer simulation

TRANSCRIPT

Solved with Comsol Multiphysics 5.0 Simulation of the Convective Heat Transfer and Working Temperature Field of a Photovoltaic Module Using COMSOL MultiphysicsE. Ruiz-Reina and M. Sidrach-de-Cardona Departamento de Fsica Aplicada II, Universidad de Mlaga. Corresponding author: Escuela de Ingenieras, Campus de Teatinos, s/n, 29071, Mlaga, Spain, [email protected] Abstract: The aim of the authors work is the numerical study, by finite element analysis using COMSOL Multiphysics, of the convective heat transfer and working temperature field of a photovoltaic module under different wind conditions. Keywords: Photovoltaic Modules, Temperature, Heat Flux, Convection Cooling. 1. Introduction It is well-known that a great portion of the solar radiation absorbed by a photovoltaic module (typically 85% of the incident radiation) is not converted into electrical energy, but it is wasted by the increase of the modules temperature, reducing its efficiency by heat transfer with the surrounding medium [2, 3]. In this contribution the authors performed a numerical study, using COMSOL Multiphysics, of the convective heat transfer and working temperature field of a photovoltaic module under different wind conditions. The working temperature of photovoltaic modules depends on different environmental factors as the ambient temperature, the solar irradiation, the relative humidity, the direction and speed of the wind; and physical factors as the construction materials and the particular installation of the module [2]. For ease, the authors have chosen a very simple module with a unique Silicon cell. A schematic of the simulation system is shown in Figure 1. It is supposed that the module is installed forming 3O with the horizontal axis. All the thermal and fluid parameters of the materials involved have been found in the literature [4]. This model is intended to replicate the results of the authors and as a first introduction to simulations of fluid flow and conjugate heat transfer. It also shows the following important points: How to draw an air box around a device in order to model convective cooling in this box. How to set a total heat flux on a boundary using automatic area computation. How to display results in an efficient way using selections in data sets. The model is also described in detail in the book Introduction to the Heat Transfer Module. An extension of the model that takes surface-to-surface radiation into account is also available; see Heat Sink with Surface-to-Surface Radiation. 2.Using COMSOL Multiphysics 2.1 Model Definition The modeled system consists of a single silicon cell photovoltaic module mounted inside a 1| H E A T T R A N S F E R