Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Analysis of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Thermal (BIPV/T) Systems

Author(s):  
Getu Hailu ◽  
TingTing Yang ◽  
Andreas K. Athienitis ◽  
Alan S. Fung

This paper presents CFD study of a BIPV/T system with forced convection. Air was circulated behind PV arrays and used as a coolant with various air flow rates (air velocities) to recover the thermal energy that could be used for space and/or domestic water heating. Turbulent flows were considered with Reynolds number ranging from 5199 to 9392. COMSOL Multiphysics finite element analysis (FEA) software was used to develop CFD models for the BIPV/T system using: (a) measured temperature profile at different flow rates, and (b) measured solar radiation as boundary condition. Predictions of the air temperature profiles inside the air flow channel and the backside of the PV were obtained and compared to experimentally obtained temperature profiles using both boundary conditions. In general, better agreement with the experimentally measured temperature profiles was obtained when the measured solar radiation was used as a boundary condition. The results of the study can be used to establish relationships between the average/local convective heat transfer coefficients and air flow velocity. The relationships obtained will also be useful for developing correlations and simple mathematical models that facilitate the design and optimization of different parts of the BIPV/T system, such as inlet regions.

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiao Lin ◽  
Shuyun Wu ◽  
Yin Yuen ◽  
Yu-Chong Tai ◽  
Chin-Ming Ho

Abstract This paper presents an experimental investigation on MEMS impinging jets as applied to micro heat exchangers. We have fabricated MEMS single and array jet nozzles using DRIE technology, as well as a MEMS quartz chip providing a simulated hot surface for jet impingement. The quartz chip, with an integrated polysilicon thin-film heater and distributed temperature sensors, offers high spatial resolution in temperature measurement due to the low thermal conductivity of quartz. From measured temperature distributions, heat transfer coefficients are computed for single and array micro impinging jets using finite element analysis. The results from this study for the first time provide extensive data on spatial distributions of micro impinging-jet heat transfer coefficients, and demonstrate the viability of MEMS heat exchangers that use micro impinging jets.


2007 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Liao ◽  
A. K. Athienitis ◽  
L. Candanedo ◽  
K.-W. Park ◽  
Y. Poissant ◽  
...  

This paper presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of a building-integrated photovoltaic thermal (BIPV∕T) system, which generates both electricity and thermal energy. The heat transfer in the BIPV∕T system cavity is studied with a two-dimensional CFD model. The realizable k‐ε model is used to simulate the turbulent flow and convective heat transfer in the cavity, including buoyancy effect and long-wave radiation between boundary surfaces is also modeled. A particle image velocimetry (PIV) system is employed to study the fluid flow in the BIPV∕T cavity and provide partial validation for the CFD model. Average and local convective heat transfer coefficients are generated with the CFD model using measured temperature profile as boundary condition. Cavity temperature profiles are calculated and compared to the experimental data for different conditions and good agreement is obtained. Correlations of convective heat transfer coefficients are generated for the cavity surfaces; these coefficients are necessary for the design and analysis of BIPV∕T systems with lumped parameter models. Local heat transfer coefficients, such as those presented, are necessary for prediction of temperature distributions in BIPV panels.


1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Claridge ◽  
Mingsheng Liu

Air infiltration energy consumption was investigated in an outdoor test cell with different leakage configurations and air flow rates under both infiltration and exfiltration. Measurements showed that under heating conditions, the air infiltration energy consumption ranged from 55 percent less than to 15 percent greater than the classically calculated values, depending on the air flow rate and direction (infiltration or exfiltration), solar radiation, and air leakage configuration.


1998 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-62
Author(s):  
A. L. A. Costa ◽  
M. Natalini ◽  
M. F. Inglese ◽  
O. A. M. Xavier

Abstract Because the structural integrity of brake systems and tires can be related to the temperature, this work proposes a transient heat transfer finite element analysis (FEA) model to study the overheating in drum brake systems used in trucks and urban buses. To understand the mechanics of overheating, some constructive variants have been modeled regarding the assemblage: brake, rims, and tires. The model simultaneously studies the thermal energy generated by brakes and tires and how the heat is transferred and dissipated by conduction, convection, and radiation. The simulated FEA data and the experimental temperature profiles measured with thermocouples have been compared giving good correlation.


1984 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-100
Author(s):  
D. Prasad ◽  
J.G. Henry ◽  
P. Elefsiniotis

Abstract Laboratory studies were conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of diffused aeration for the removal of ammonia from the effluent of an anaerobic filter treating leachate. The effects of pH, temperature and air flow on the process were studied. The coefficient of desorption of ammonia, KD for the anaerobic filter effluent (TKN 75 mg/L with NH3-N 88%) was determined at pH values of 9, 10 and 11, temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 30 and 35°C, and air flow rates of 50, 120, and 190 cm3/sec/L. Results indicated that nitrogen removal from the effluent of anaerobic filters by ammonia desorption was feasible. Removals exceeding 90% were obtained with 8 hours aeration at pH of 10, a temperature of 20°C, and an air flow rate of 190 cm3/sec/L. Ammonia desorption coefficients, KD, determined at other temperatures and air flow rates can be used to predict ammonia removals under a wide range of operating conditions.


1993 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-160
Author(s):  
P.H. Oosthuizen ◽  
A. Sheriff

Indirect passive solar crop dryers have the potential to considerably reduce the losses that presently occur during drying of some crops in many parts of the “developing” world. The performance so far achieved with such dryers has, however, not proved to be very satisfactory. If this performance is to be improved it is necessary to have an accurate computer model of such dryers to assist in their design. An important element is any dryer model is an accurate equation for the convective heat transfer in the collector. To assist in the development of such an equation, an experimental and numerical study of the collector heat transfer has been undertaken. In the experimental study, the collector was simulated by a 1m long by 1m wide channel with a gap of 4 cm between the upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface of the channel consisted of an aluminium plate with an electrical heating element, simulating the solar heating, bonded to its lower surface. Air was blown through this channel at a measured rate and the temperature profiles at various points along the channel were measured using a shielded thermocouple probe. Local heat transfer rates were then determined from these measured temperature profiles. In the numerical study, the parabolic forms of the governing equations were solved by a forward-marching finite difference procedure.


Designs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Dillon Alexander Wilson ◽  
Kul Pun ◽  
Poo Balan Ganesan ◽  
Faik Hamad

Microbubble generators are of considerable importance to a range of scientific fields from use in aquaculture and engineering to medical applications. This is due to the fact the amount of sea life in the water is proportional to the amount of oxygen in it. In this paper, experimental measurements and computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation are performed for three water flow rates and three with three different air flow rates. The experimental data presented in the paper are used to validate the CFD model. Then, the CFD model is used to study the effect of diverging angle and throat length/throat diameter ratio on the size of the microbubble produced by the Venturi-type microbubble generator. The experimental results showed that increasing water flow rate and reducing the air flow rate produces smaller microbubbles. The prediction from the CFD results indicated that throat length/throat diameter ratio and diffuser divergent angle have a small effect on bubble diameter distribution and average bubble diameter for the range of the throat water velocities used in this study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 134-135
Author(s):  
Michaela B Braun ◽  
Kara M Dunmire ◽  
Michael Sodak ◽  
Jerry Shepherd ◽  
Randy Fisher ◽  
...  

Abstract This study was performed to evaluate hammermill tip speed, assistive airflow and screen hole diameter on hammermill throughput and characteristics of ground corn. Corn was ground using two Andritz hammermills (Model: 4330–6, Andritz Feed & Biofuel, Muncy,PA) measuring 1-m in diameter each equipped with 72 hammers and 300 HP motors. Treatments were arranged in a 3 × 3 × 3 factorial design with 3 tip speeds (3,774, 4,975, and 6,176 m/min), 3 screen hole diameters (2.3, 3.9 and 6.3 mm), and 3 air flow rates (1,062, 1,416, and 1,770 fan RPM). Corn was ground on 3 separate days to create 3 replications and treatments were randomized within day. Samples were collected and analyzed for moisture, particle size, and flowability characteristics. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 with grinding run serving as the experimental unit and day serving as the block. There was a 3-way interaction for standard deviation (Sgw), (linear screen hole diameter × linear hammer tip speed × linear air flow, P = 0.029). There was a screen hole diameter × hammer tip speed interaction (P < 0.001) for geometric mean particle size dgw (P < 0.001) and composite flow index (CFI) (P < 0.001). When tip speed increased from 3,774 to 6,176 m/min the rate of decrease in dgw was greater as screen hole diameter increased from 2.3 to 6.3 mm resulting in a 67, 111, and 254 µm decrease in dgw for corn ground using the 2.3, 3.9, and 6.3 mm screen hole diameter, respectively. For CFI, increasing tip speed decreased the CFI of ground corn when ground using the 3.9 and 6.3 mm screen. However, when grinding corn using the 2.3 mm screen, there was no evidence of difference in CFI when increasing tip speed. In conclusion, the air flow rate did not influence dgw of corn but hammer tip speed and screen size were altered and achieved a range of dgw from 304 to 617 µm.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 510
Author(s):  
Lukas Boehler ◽  
Mateusz Daniol ◽  
Ryszard Sroka ◽  
Dominik Osinski ◽  
Anton Keller

Surgical procedures involve major risks, as pathogens can enter the body unhindered. To prevent this, most surgical instruments and implants are sterilized. However, ensuring that this process is carried out safely and according to the normative requirements is not a trivial task. This study aims to develop a sensor system that can automatically detect successful steam sterilization on the basis of the measured temperature profiles. This can be achieved only when the relationship between the temperature on the surface of the tool and the temperature at the measurement point inside the tool is known. To find this relationship, the thermodynamic model of the system has been developed. Simulated results of thermal simulations were compared with the acquired temperature profiles to verify the correctness of the model. Simulated temperature profiles are in accordance with the measured temperature profiles, thus the developed model can be used in the process of further development of the system as well as for the development of algorithms for automated evaluation of the sterilization process. Although the developed sensor system proved that the detection of sterilization cycles can be automated, further studies that address the possibility of optimization of the system in terms of geometrical dimensions, used materials, and processing algorithms will be of significant importance for the potential commercialization of the presented solution.


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