System design and trial of combined photovoltaics and membrane distillation
Author
Lichtenberg, Andreas Richard
Term
4. Term
Education
Publication year
2022
Submitted on
2022-06-09
Pages
52
Abstract
This study combined a small photovoltaic (PV) panel with membrane distillation (MD), a heat-driven water treatment process, in a controlled setup. The goal was to see whether using the panel’s waste heat for MD could also cool the panel and improve its open-circuit voltage (a measure closely linked to power output at normal temperatures). The combined system consistently used waste heat to run MD, but in some trials the panel’s electrical power decreased. Because the module lacked an effective way to remove heat, heat built up, which lowered the MD flux (the rate at which water passes through the membrane) compared with expectations. A simple flow-cooling approach was also tested, sending salt water behind the panel at different flow rates so it dripped into a beaker. Higher flow rates had a positive effect on temperature (better cooling).
I dette studie blev et lille solpanel kombineret med membrandestillation (MD), en varmedrevet vandrensningsproces, i en kontrolleret opstilling. Formålet var at undersøge, om udnyttelse af panelets affaldsvarme til MD også kunne køle panelet og forbedre dets open-circuit-spænding (tomgangsspænding), som ved normale temperaturer er tæt knyttet til effektudgangen. Den kombinerede løsning udnyttede konsekvent affaldsvarmen til at drive MD, men i nogle forsøg blev panellets elektriske effekt reduceret. Fordi modulet manglede en effektiv varmeafledning, ophobedes varme, hvilket sænkede MD-fluxen (hastigheden, hvormed vand passerer gennem membranen) i forhold til forventningen. En simpel gennemstrømningskøling blev også afprøvet, hvor saltvand løb bag panelet med forskellige flowhastigheder og dryppede ned i et bægerglas. Højere flowhastigheder havde en positiv effekt på temperaturen (bedre køling).
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]