| Biography | |
|---|---|
 Prof. Yan Su University of Macau, China |
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| Title: Energy Efficiency Enhancement with Phase Change Materials in Solar Systems | |
| Abstract: Using phase change materials (PCM) in solar energy systems has been investigated by both experimental measurement and numerical simulations. Based on our previous experimental studies, the on-site measurement show that compared with the concentrating photovoltaic-thermal (CPV-T) system with pure water cooling, the average increases of the electrical, thermal, and overall efficiencies for the CPV-T system with PCM cooling are more than 10%, 5%, and 15%, respectively. To further understanding the physical mechanism, numerical simulations of the dynamic processes of both charging and discharging processes, i.e. melting and solidification processes of the PCM, are necessary. Limited by the slow speed and unknowing dynamical solid-liquid interface curves of conventional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, a new method based on mesoscopic scale simulations is necessary. The mesoscopic scales simulations with a new non-dimensional Lattice non-dimensional lattice Boltzamann method (NDLBM) developed from the conventional LBMs by directly applying the mesoscopic dimensionless governing parameters, which clarified the relationships between the macroscopic and mesoscopic scales. The dimensionless collision relaxation times expressed by the dimensionless governing parameters simplified the applications of the NDLBM. Key bridges between the mesoscopic and macroscopic transport are given. This new method makes it possible for dynamical simulations of the transient interfaces between the solid and liquid phases. The energy charge speeds for the storage tank with and without the PCM have been compared. The transient temperature and flow fields including melting of the PCM are also presented. This new method makes the simulation not only in a faster speed but also with higher accuracy. The enhancement of the energy storage capability due to the PCM is calculated based on the simulation results. Also the effects of the arrangement such as pitches and positions of the PCM are discussed. | |
| Biography: Dr. Su is currently an associate Professor of Electromechanical Engineering in University of Macau. She received his PhD degree from the Department of Mechanical Engineering from University of Minnesota in 2006. In year 2000 and 2003, she obtained her Bachelor of Thermal Engineering from Tsinghua University, and Master of Mechanical Engineering from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, respectively. Dr. Su’s research interests include Thermal Dispersion in Porous Medium, Renewable Energy Systems, Oscillating Flows, and Indoor Air Quality. She also serves as the director of the solar energy laboratory of University of Macau and associate editors of Journal of Heat Transfer (ASME) and Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (Elsevier). | |
