Modified Nano-Fe 2 O 3 -Paraffin Wax for Efficient Photovoltaic/Thermal System in Severe Weather Conditions

Miqdam T. Chaichan, Maytham T. Mahdi, Hussein A. Kazem, Ali H. A. Al-Waeli, Mohammed A. Fayad, Ahmed A. Al-Amiery (), Wan Nor Roslam Wan Isahak (), Abdul Amir H. Kadhum and Mohd S. Takriff
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Miqdam T. Chaichan: Energy and Renewable Energies Technology Center, University of Technology, Baghdad 10066, Iraq
Maytham T. Mahdi: Energy and Renewable Energies Technology Center, University of Technology, Baghdad 10066, Iraq
Hussein A. Kazem: Faculty of Engineering, Sohar University, P.O. Box 44, Sohar PCI 311, Oman
Ali H. A. Al-Waeli: Engineering Department, American University of Iraq, Sulaimani 46001, Iraq
Mohammed A. Fayad: Energy and Renewable Energies Technology Center, University of Technology, Baghdad 10066, Iraq
Ahmed A. Al-Amiery: Energy and Renewable Energies Technology Center, University of Technology, Baghdad 10066, Iraq
Wan Nor Roslam Wan Isahak: Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
Abdul Amir H. Kadhum: Faculty of Medicine, University of Al-Ameed, Karbala 56001, Iraq
Mohd S. Takriff: Chemical and Water Desalination Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-23

Abstract: The development of modern photovoltaic thermal systems (PV/T) is one of the most important steps in the application of using solar energy to produce both electricity and heat. Studies have shown that a system consisting of a heat-collecting tank the is most efficient system, in which the phase change materials (PCMs) are mixed with nanoparticles inside the system that are cooled by a cooling fluid (preferably a nanofluid). The PCMs have a high capacity to store energy in the form of latent heat. Nanoparticles are added to PCMs to treat and improve the low thermal conductivity of these materials. In this experimental study, nano-iron oxide III (Fe 2 O 3 ) was added to paraffin wax in multiple mass fractions to evaluate the thermophysical changes that can be occur on the wax properties. Four samples of paraffin–nano-Fe 2 O 3 were prepared with mass fractions of 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 3%, and their thermophysical properties were compared with pure paraffin (without nano additives). The results from this study showed that adding nano-Fe 2 O 3 at any mass fraction increases the viscosity and density of the product. Thermal conductivity is improved by adding nano-Fe 2 O 3 to paraffin wax by 10.04%, 57.14%, 76.19%, and 78.57% when adding mass fractions of 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 3%, respectively. Stability tests showed that the prepared samples have excellent thermal stability (especially for 0.5% and 1% added nano-Fe 2 O 3 ) to acceptable level of stability when adding 3% of nano-Fe 2 O 3 . The nano-Fe 2 O 3 paraffin PV/T system was tested outdoors to ensure its ability to operate in the harshest weather conditions of Baghdad city. The current experimental results indicated clear evidence of the success of the examined nano-PCM.

Keywords: photovoltaic thermal; nano-Fe 2 O 3; mass fraction; thermal conductivity; stability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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