Simulation and experimental study on the performance of solar phase change slurry direct evaporation photovoltaic/thermal heat pump

Sheng Li, Liping Cui, Xuejun Zhang, Zhengshu Dai, Changxing Zhang, Jinshuang Gao and Yazhou Zhao

Energy, 2025, vol. 324, issue C

Abstract: This work utilizes n-octadecane phase change slurry (n-PCS) as a heat exchange medium, with the goal of enhancing solar energy conversion while improving both the efficiency and stability of the heat pump cycle. The performance of various indicators within the composite heat pump system was evaluated using both simulation and experimental methods. During the experiment, the system demonstrates a high hot water heating rate, with the minimum heat pump performance coefficient (COP) reaching 2.34. Expanding the PV/T area improves both photovoltaic efficiency and the heat pump COP. As the height-to-diameter ratio of the regenerative evaporator increases from 2.5 to 3.5, the photothermal and photovoltaic efficiencies increase by 0.16 % and 0.14 %, respectively, while the heat pump COP and system COP rise to 3.19 and 5.38, respectively. Maintaining an appropriate n-PCS flow rate and inlet temperature is crucial for synchronously improving solar efficiency and heat pump COP; otherwise, it can result in a low evaporation temperature and reduced conversion efficiency. The primary energy utilization rate (PER) of the system in Hangzhou is the highest, at 1.08, while in Shenyang, it is the lowest, at 0.86. This work provides a reference for future research and for upgrading the experimental system.

Keywords: Solar energy; Photovoltaic/thermal; Heat pump; Phase change slurry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:324:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225016275

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135985

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