Experimental study of using system of flat heat pipe-phase change material inclusion heat sink for thermal regulation of simulated PV

Flat heat pipe (HP)-phase change material (PCM) hybrid system used for thermal regulation of simulated PV is investigated experimentally. Three PCMs; Rubitherm RT-25 H (RT25), Rubitherm RT-35 H (RT35), and Rubitherm RT-44 H (RT44) coupled with the HP are tested for best cooling system. Impact of using one or two heat sinks compared with PCM only is studied. The results show that RT25 achieves lowest PV temperature, while RT44 achieves highest energy storage. Compared to RT25 and RT44, RT35 is considered the best for PV cooling and PCM energy storage. Including heat sinks reduces PV temperature and melting time and increases energy storage rate.

Automated summary

This paper experimentally investigates the use of a flat heat pipe - phase change material hybrid system for thermal regulation of simulated PV. The results show the best cooling and energy storage performance is achieved with Rubitherm RT-35 H PCM and the addition of heat sinks.