Performance analysis of a single cell-ultra-high concentration photovoltaic thermal module based on pin-fins cooling microchannel

The present work is carrying out the performance of an actively cooled Fresnel-based single-cell ultra-high concentration photovoltaic/thermal (UHCPV/T) system under concentration ratios (CR)s ranged between 500x and 2500x. Four cooling finned heat sink designs have been studied, that is, the in-line cylindrical pin fins (ICY), staggered cylindrical pin fins (SCY), in-line conical pin fins (ICO), and staggered conical pin fins (SCO). The analysis was performed to study and optimize the maximum operating MJSC temperature, coolant flow outlet temperature, pressure drop across, and the thermal, electrical, and overall efficiency enhancement of the whole Fresnel-based UHCVP/T system. The numerical model has been first validated and then used to simulate the impact of the concentration ratio and Reynolds number on the limitations and records of each cooling finned design of the UHCPV/T. It was found that even though the aluminum-based-ICO pin fins heat sink can achieve the optimum overall efficiency of 80.20% under 2000x and Re of 428; yet the aluminum-based ICY is the most appropriate pin-fins heat sink design for desalination purposes since it corresponds to the highest water outlet temperature of 66.16 degrees C with a second-ranked overall efficiency of 72.5% under the same operating conditions.