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Experimental System of Solar Adsorption Refrigeration with Concentrated Collector
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Spatial Patterned Interfacial Solar Evaporators toward Recovering Heat Loss
Yingfei Hu1, Simin Li1, Wenbo Zhuang1
1National Center for International Research on Photoelectric and Energy Materials, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Materials & Technology, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Materials and Devices, School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|February 20, 2024
Summary
Innovative spatial pattern evaporators (SPEs) reduce heat loss in solar-steam conversion, boosting freshwater production efficiency. This design enhances thermal management for scalable applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Environmental Engineering
Background:
- Interface solar-steam conversion (ISSC) technology offers high efficiency for freshwater production by localizing energy capture at the air-water interface.
- Scaling up ISSC faces challenges due to increased heat loss and reduced conversion efficiency, necessitating innovative steamer designs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate novel spatial pattern evaporators (SPEs) for mitigating heat loss in open evaporators.
- To improve the thermal management strategies for practical and scalable solar-steam conversion applications.
Main Methods:
- Development of spatial pattern evaporators (SPEs) with unequal height auxiliary heat exchange platforms.
- Experimental investigation of SPEs in an open environment to measure evaporation rates and heat loss recovery.
Main Results:
- SPEs effectively recovered energy from radiation and convection heat loss, achieving low heat loss in an open system.
- A maximum evaporation rate of 1.68 kg m-2 h-1 was achieved, with approximately 52.41% of heat loss being reabsorbed.
- The sophisticated pattern design demonstrated significant improvements in thermal management.
Conclusions:
- The developed SPEs offer a promising solution for reducing heat loss in solar-steam conversion.
- This design provides a viable guideline for optimizing thermal management and promoting scalable freshwater production technologies.
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