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Recent Advances in Solar Energy Collectors: Models and Applications

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A2: Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2021) | Viewed by 18501

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Dr. Hijaz Ahmad

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Section of Mathematics, International Telematic University Uninettuno, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 39, 00186 Roma, Italy
Interests: numerical analysis; PDEs; fractional calculus
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, there has been an important world program for development with the aim of the integration of renewable energies in the field of energy production, transport, agriculture, etc., in order to minimize the use of fossil resources, encourage the use of renewable energy sources, minimize the greenhouse effect and CO₂ emissions, and contribute to sustainable development. Moreover, extremely important research programs have been launched in the fields of renewable energy conversion, generation, development, distribution, application, design, storage, management, and environmental sustainability.

The aim of this Special Issue is to invite researchers (scholars, researchers, academicians) to publish your recent experimental and numerical research in the field of renewable energy technologies. Topics of interest for the Special Issue include but are not limited to the following:

Thermal solar energy
Thermal solar power
Energy conversion and efficiency
Thermal energy storage
Power converter technologies
Solar air heating
Solar collectors and concentrators
Aerodynamics and hydrodynamics
Fluid–solid interactions
Heat transfer and thermal energy
Heat exchanger design and other applications
Modeling and characterization of solar energy material
Nanofluid field in solar collectors
Modelling and simulation of the photovoltaic cells and panels
Methods, algorithms, and circuits for PV system
New techniques for the characterization of large-area PV fields
Concentrating photovoltaics
Cooling techniques of PV modules
Optimization and analysis tools and computational software
Wind Energy
Renewable energy exploitation and environment
Hybrid renewable energy technologies
Hydrogen and fuel cells
Biomass conversion

Dr. Hijaz Ahmad
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Solar collectors and concentrators
Energy conversion
Solar power
Solar efficiency
Fluid–solid interactions
Heat transfer
Photovoltaic cells and panels
Concentrating photovoltaics
Solar materials
Cooling methods
Wind energy
Hydrogen and fuel cells
Biomass conversion

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 5192 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On Thermal Energy Transport Complications in Chemically Reactive Liquidized Flow Fields Manifested with Thermal Slip Arrangements

by Khalil Ur Rehman, Wasfi Shatanawi and Taqi A. M. Shatnawi

Energies 2021, 14(24), 8530; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248530 - 17 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1483

Abstract

Heat transfer systems for chemical processes must be designed to be as efficient as possible. As heat transfer is such an energy-intensive stage in many chemical processes, failing to focus on efficiency can push up costs unnecessarily. Many problems involving heat transfer in the presence of a chemically reactive species in the domain of the physical sciences are still unsolved because of their complex mathematical formulations. The same is the case for heat transfer in chemically reactive magnetized Tangent hyperbolic liquids equipped above the permeable domain. Therefore, in this work, a classical remedy for such types of problems is offered by performing Lie symmetry analysis. In particular, non-Newtonian Tangent hyperbolic fluid is considered in three different physical frames, namely, (i) chemically reactive and non-reactive fluids, (ii) magnetized and non-magnetized fluids, and (iii) porous and non-porous media. Heat generation, heat absorption, velocity, and temperature slips are further considered to strengthen the problem statement. A mathematical model is constructed for the flow regime, and by using Lie symmetry analysis, an invariant group of transformations is constructed. The order of flow equations is dropped down by symmetry transformations and later solved by a shooting algorithm. Interesting physical quantities on porous surfaces are critically debated. It is believed that the problem analysis carried out in this work will help researchers to extend such ideas to other unsolved problems in the field of heat-transfer fluid science. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Solar Energy Collectors: Models and Applications)

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17 pages, 609 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Applications of Haar Wavelet-Finite Difference Hybrid Method and Its Convergence for Hyperbolic Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation with Energy and Mass Conversion

by Xuan Liu, Muhammad Ahsan, Masood Ahmad, Muhammad Nisar, Xiaoling Liu, Imtiaz Ahmad and Hijaz Ahmad

Energies 2021, 14(23), 7831; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14237831 - 23 Nov 2021

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 1895

Abstract

This article is concerned with the numerical solution of nonlinear hyperbolic Schr

\ddot{o}

This article is concerned with the numerical solution of nonlinear hyperbolic Schr

\ddot{o}

dinger equations (NHSEs) via an efficient Haar wavelet collocation method (HWCM). The time derivative is approximated in the governing equations by the central difference scheme, while the space derivatives are replaced by finite Haar series, which transform it to full algebraic form. The experimental rate of convergence follows the theoretical statements of convergence and the conservation laws of energy and mass are also presented, which strengthens the proposed method to be convergent and conservative. The Haar wavelets based on numerical results for solitary wave shape of

| φ |

are discussed in detail. The proposed approach provides a fast convergent approximation to the NHSEs. The reliability and efficiency of the method are illustrated by computing the maximum error norm and the experimental rate of convergence for different problems. Comparisons are performed with various existing methods in recent literature and better performance of the proposed method is shown in various tables and figures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Solar Energy Collectors: Models and Applications)

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13 pages, 2592 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimation of the Wind Energy Potential in Various North Algerian Regions

by Mounir Alliche, Redha Rebhi, Noureddine Kaid, Younes Menni, Houari Ameur, Mustafa Inc, Hijaz Ahmad, Giulio Lorenzini, Ayman A. Aly, Sayed K. Elagan and Bassem F. Felemban

Energies 2021, 14(22), 7564; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227564 - 12 Nov 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1684

Abstract

This investigation aims to model and assess the wind potential available in seven specific regions of North Algeria. These regions, i.e., Batna, Guelma, Medea, Meliana, Chlef, Tiaret, and Tlemcen, are known for their traditional agriculture. The wind data are obtained from the National Agency of Meteorology (NAM), and a Weibull distribution is applied. In the first part of this study, the wind potential available in these sites is assessed. Then, different models are used to estimate the wind system’s annual recoverable energy for these regions. We are interested in wind pumping for possible use to meet the needs of irrigation water in rural areas. Four kinds of wind turbines are explored to determine the possibility of wind energy conversion. In addition, the effects of the heights of the pylon holding the turbines are inspected by considering four cases (10, 20, 40, and 60 m). This estimation showed that the annual mean wind velocity varies from 2.48 to 5.60 m/s at a level of 10 m. The yearly values of Weibull parameters (k and c) at the studied sites varied within 1.61–2.43 and 3.32–6.20 m/s, respectively. The average wind power density ranged from 11.48 (at Chlef) to 238.43 W/m² (at Tiaret), and the monthly wind recoverable potential varied from 16.64 to 138 W/m². Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Solar Energy Collectors: Models and Applications)

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16 pages, 7369 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Non-Fourier’s Heat Flux and Non-Fick’s Mass Flux Theory in the Radiative and Chemically Reactive Flow of Powell–Eyring Fluid

by Hina Firdous, Syed Tauseef Saeed, Hijaz Ahmad and Sameh Askar

Energies 2021, 14(21), 6882; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14216882 - 20 Oct 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1416

Abstract

The behavior of convective boundary conditions is studied to delineate their role in heat and mass relegation in the presence of radiation, chemical reaction, and hydro-magnetic forces in three-dimensional Powell–Eyring nanofluids. Implications concerning non-Fourier’s heat flux and non-Fick’s mass flux with respect to temperature nanoparticle concentration were examined to discuss the graphical attributes of the principal parameters. An efficient optimal homotopy analysis method is used to solve the transformed partial differential equations. Tables and graphs are physically interpreted for significant parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Solar Energy Collectors: Models and Applications)

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19 pages, 9050 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanism of Solute and Thermal Characteristics in a Casson Hybrid Nanofluid Based with Ethylene Glycol Influenced by Soret and Dufour Effects

by Muhammad Bilal Hafeez, Wojciech Sumelka, Umar Nazir, Hijaz Ahmad and Sameh Askar

Energies 2021, 14(20), 6818; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206818 - 18 Oct 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1643

Abstract

This article models a system of partial differential equations (PDEs) for the thermal and solute characteristics under gradients (concentration and temperature) in the magnetohydrodynamic flow of Casson liquid in a Darcy porous medium. The modelled problems are highly non-linear with convective boundary conditions. [...] Read more.

10^{- 8} .

A numerical algorithm (finite element approach) is provided and a numerical procedure is discussed. Convergence is also observed via 300 elements. Simulations are run to explore the dynamics of flow and the transport of heat and mass under parametric variation. To examine the impact of a temperature gradient on the transport of mass and the role of a concentration gradient on the transport of heat energy, simulations are recorded. Remarkable changes in temperature and concentration are noted when Dufour and Soret numbers are varied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Solar Energy Collectors: Models and Applications)

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19 pages, 8024 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Details on the Hydrothermal Characteristics within a Solar-Channel Heat-Exchanger Provided with Staggered T-Shaped Baffles

by Driss Meddah Medjahed, Houari Ameur, Redha Rebhi, Mustafa Inc, Hijaz Ahmad, Younes Menni, Giulio Lorenzini, Fatimah S. Bayones and Musaad Aldhabani

Energies 2021, 14(20), 6698; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206698 - 15 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1190

Abstract

Details on the hydrothermal characteristics of turbulent flows in a solar channel heat exchanger (CHE) are highlighted. The device has transverse T-shaped vortex generators (VGs). Two staggered VGs (baffles) are inserted on the lower and upper walls of the CHE. The working fluid is Newtonian and incompressible, with constant physical properties. The ANSYS Fluent 17.0 is utilized in this survey. The second-order upwind and QUICK schemes were utilized to perform the discretization of pressure and convective terms, respectively. The SIMPLE algorithm was employed to achieve the speed-pressure coupling. The residual target 10⁻⁹ was selected as a convergence criterion. The effects of the T-VGs’ geometrical shape and Reynolds numbers were inspected. At the baffle level, the wall effect was augmented due to the reduction of the passage area of flows, which is estimated here to be 55%, resulting thus in a considerable resistance to the movement of fluid particles. The thermal distribution is highly dependent on the flow structures within the CHE. Since the fluid agitation yields an enhanced mixing, it allows thus an excellent heat transfer. The most considerable rates of thermal transfer were obtained with high Re, which resulted from the intensified mixing of fluid particles through the formation of recirculation cells and the interaction with the walls of the T-VGs and the CHE. The T-baffles with intense flow rates yielded negative turbulent speeds and intensify the fluid agitation, which improves the thermal exchange rates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Solar Energy Collectors: Models and Applications)

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21 pages, 19335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insights into Partial Slips and Temperature Jumps of a Nanofluid Flow over a Stretched or Shrinking Surface

by Ji-Huan He and Nader Y. Abd Elazem

Energies 2021, 14(20), 6691; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206691 - 15 Oct 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 1268

Abstract

This paper elucidates the significance of partial slips and temperature jumps on the heat and mass transfer of a boundary layer nanofluid flowing through a stretched or shrinking surface. Considerable consideration is given to the dynamic properties of the nanofluid process, including Brownian motion and thermophoresis. A similarity transform is introduced to obtain a physical model of nonlinear ordinary differential equations, and the Chebyshev method of collocation is used to numerically analyze the influences of parameters of physical flow such as slip, temperature jump, Brownian motion, thermophoresis, suction (or injection) parameters, and Lewis and Prandtl numbers. The numerical results for temperature and concentration profiles, and heat and mass transfer rates, are graphically represented, and insights into the effects of slips and temperature jumps are revealed. In the case of a stretched sheet, the slip parameter enhances the temperature field and increases the thermal boundary layer thickness as well as the concentration function’s boundary layer thickness. When the slip parameter is raised in the case of the shrinking sheet, the dual solutions for temperature and concentration functions are reduced. For the first solution, both the temperature and concentration functions drop as the slip parameter increases, but for the second solution, both the temperature and concentration functions rise as the slip parameter increases. The discoveries have applications in a number of disciplines, including heat transfer in a solar energy collector. Glass blowing, annealing, and copper wire thinning are just a few of the technical and oilfield applications for the current problem. In high-temperature industrial applications, radiation heat transfer research is critical. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Solar Energy Collectors: Models and Applications)

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19 pages, 755 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Magnetite–Water-Based Nanofluid Three-Dimensional Thin Film Flow on an Inclined Rotating Surface with Non-Linear Thermal Radiations and Couple Stress Effects

by Asad Ullah, Ikramullah, Mahmoud M. Selim, Thabet Abdeljawad, Muhammad Ayaz, Nabil Mlaiki and Abdul Ghafoor

Energies 2021, 14(17), 5531; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14175531 - 04 Sep 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 1488

Abstract

This study is related to the heat energy transfer during 3D nanofluid (water-based) motion over a rotating surface by incorporating the combined impacts of thermal radiations and couple stress. The flow is modeled by a set of non-linear coupled PDEs, which is converted to a set of coupled non-linear ODEs by using suitable similarity transformations. The transformed equations are solved with the built-in NDSolve command. The effects of relevant interesting parameters on the nanofluid velocity components and temperature distribution are explained through various graphs. It is found that the velocity component

f (η)

is increased with higher values of

γ

and

A_{0}

while it drops with an increasing rotation parameter and nanoparticle volume fraction. The fluid temperature increases with higher

α_{n f}, R d, ϵ_{2}, ϵ_{3}, A_{1}

and drops with increasing

P r, ϵ_{1}

and couple stress parameter

(A_{0})

. The Nusselt number remains constant at a fixed

P r

and

R d

, whereas it increases with increasing

P r

and is reduced with rising

R d

. A comparison between the achieved results is carried out with the analytical results through different tables. An excellent agreement is observed between these results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Solar Energy Collectors: Models and Applications)

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17 pages, 4781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Analysis of Natural Convection Driven Flow of a Non-Newtonian Power-Law Fluid in a Trapezoidal Enclosure with a U-Shaped Constructal

by Sardar Bilal, Maryam Rehman, Samad Noeiaghdam, Hijaz Ahmad and Ali Akgül

Energies 2021, 14(17), 5355; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14175355 - 28 Aug 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2080

Abstract

Placement of fins in enclosures has promising utilization in advanced technological processes due to their role as heat reducing/generating elements such as in conventional furnaces, economizers, gas turbines, heat exchangers, superconductive heaters and so forth. The advancement in technologies in power engineering and microelectronics requires the development of effective cooling systems. This evolution involves the utilization of fins of significantly variable geometries enclosed in cavities to increase the heat elimination from heat-generating mechanisms. Since fins are considered to play an effective role in the escalation of heat transmission, the current study is conducted to examine the transfer of heat in cavities embedding fins, as well as the effect of a range of several parameters upon the transmission of energy. The following research is supplemented with the interpretation of the thermo-physical aspects of a power-law liquid enclosed in a trapezoidal cavity embedding a U-shaped fin. The Boussinesq approximation is utilized to generate the mathematical attributes of factors describing natural convection, which are then used in the momentum equation. Furthermore, the Fourier law is applied to formulate the streaming heat inside the fluid flow region. The formulated system describing the problem is non-dimensionalized using similarity transformations. The geometry of the problem comprises a trapezoidal cavity with a non-uniformly heated U-shaped fin introduced at the center of the base of the enclosure. The boundaries of the cavity are at no-slip conditions. Non-uniform heating is provided at the walls (

l_{1} and l_{2})

, curves (

c_{1}, c_{2} and c_{3})

and surfaces (

s_{1} and s_{2})

of the fin; the upper wall is insulated whereas the base and sidewalls of the enclosure are kept cold. The solution of the non-dimensionalized equations is procured by the Galerkin finite element procedure. To acquire information regarding the change in displacement w.r.t time and temperature, supplementary quadratic interpolating functions are also observed. An amalgam meshing is constructed to elaborate the triangular and quadrilateral elements of the trapezoidal domain. Observation of significant variation in the flow configurations for a specified range of parameters is taken into consideration i.e.,

0.5 \leq n \leq 1.5

and

10^{4} \leq R a \leq 10^{6}

. Furthermore, flow structures in the form of velocity profiles, streamlines, and temperature contours are interpreted for the parameters taken into account. It is deduced from the study that ascending magnitude of

(R a)

elevates level of kinetic energy and magnitude of heat flux; however, a contrary configuration is encapsulated for the power-law index. Navier–Stokes equations constituting the phenomenon are written with the help of non-dimensionalized stream function, temperature profiles, and vortices, and the solutions are acquired using the finite element method. Furthermore, the attained outcomes are accessible through velocity and temperature profiles. It is worth highlighting the fact that the following analysis enumerates the pseudo-plastic, viscous and dilatant behavior of the fluid for different values of

(n)

. This study highlights that the momentum profile and the heat transportation increase by increasing

(R a)

and decline as the viscosity of the fluid increases. Overall, it can be seen from the current study that heat transportation increases with the insertion of a fin in the cavity. The current communication signifies the phenomenon of a power-law fluid flow filling a trapezoidal cavity enclosing a U-shaped fin. Previously, researchers have studied such phenomena mostly in Newtonian fluids, hence the present effort presents novelty regarding consideration of a power-law liquid in a trapezoidal enclosure by the placement of a U-shaped fin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Solar Energy Collectors: Models and Applications)

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13 pages, 2546 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heat Transmission of Engine-Oil-Based Rotating Nanofluids Flow with Influence of Partial Slip Condition: A Computational Model

by Azad Hussain, Mubashar Arshad, Aysha Rehman, Ali Hassan, Sayed K. Elagan and Nawal A. Alshehri

Energies 2021, 14(13), 3859; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14133859 - 27 Jun 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 1750

Abstract

This particular research was conducted with the aim of describing the impact of a rotating nanoliquid on an elasting surface. This specific study was carried out using a two-phase nanoliquid model. In this study engine oil is used as the base fluid, and two forms of nanoparticles are used, namely, titanium oxide and zinc oxide (TiO₂ and ZnO). Using appropriate similarity transformations, the arising system of partial differential equations and the related boundary conditions are presented and then converted into a system of ordinary differential equations. These equations are numerically tackled using powerful techniques. Graphs for nanoparticle rotation parameter and volume fraction for both types of nanoparticles present the results for the velocity and heat transfer features. Quantities of physical significance are measured and evaluated, such as local heat flux intensity and local skin friction coefficients at the linear stretching surface. Numerical values for skin friction and local heat flux amplitude are determined in the presence of slip factor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Solar Energy Collectors: Models and Applications)

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