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RESEARCH PAPERS

# Numerical and Experimental Study of Heat Transfer in a BIPV-Thermal System

[+] Author and Article Information
L. Liao, A. K. Athienitis, L. Candanedo, K.-W. Park

Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, QC, H3G 1M8

Y. Poissant

CANMET Energy Technology Centre —Varennes, Natural Resources Canada, 1615 Lionel-Boulet Blvd., Varennes, QC, J3X 1S6

M. Collins

Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1

J. Sol. Energy Eng 129(4), 423-430 (May 15, 2007) (8 pages) doi:10.1115/1.2770750 History: Received February 24, 2006; Revised May 15, 2007

## Abstract

This paper presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of a building-integrated photovoltaic thermal (BIPV∕T) system, which generates both electricity and thermal energy. The heat transfer in the BIPV∕T system cavity is studied with a two-dimensional CFD model. The realizable $k‐ε$ model is used to simulate the turbulent flow and convective heat transfer in the cavity, including buoyancy effect and long-wave radiation between boundary surfaces is also modeled. A particle image velocimetry (PIV) system is employed to study the fluid flow in the BIPV∕T cavity and provide partial validation for the CFD model. Average and local convective heat transfer coefficients are generated with the CFD model using measured temperature profile as boundary condition. Cavity temperature profiles are calculated and compared to the experimental data for different conditions and good agreement is obtained. Correlations of convective heat transfer coefficients are generated for the cavity surfaces; these coefficients are necessary for the design and analysis of BIPV∕T systems with lumped parameter models. Local heat transfer coefficients, such as those presented, are necessary for prediction of temperature distributions in BIPV panels.

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## Figures

Figure 5

(a). CFD model velocity profiles at the outlet of the PV section for different average air velocities. (b). Velocity profile from particle-image velocimetry (PIV) compared with CFD results for two flow rates.

Figure 6

Comparison of the outlet air temperature profile (at top of PV) from CFD model and experimental measurements

Figure 7

Convective heat transfer coefficient profile at PV panel interior surface and at insulation

Figure 8

Modeling (CFD) results around inlet flow region

Figure 9

Comparison of the predicted PV and insulation temperature profile with experimental data for March 29, 2004

Figure 10

Regression of the numerical results of convective heat transfer coefficients at PV panel side

Figure 11

Regression of the numerical results of convective heat transfer coefficients at insulation side

Figure 12

Correlation of heat transfer coefficients as a function of average air velocities

Figure 13

Correlation (regression) profile of Nu numbers at the PV panel side

Figure 14

Correlation (regression) profile of Nu numbers at insulation side

Figure 2

Geometry of 2-D CFD model

Figure 3

Grid pattern of the boundary treatment

Figure 4

Measured PV panel temperature used as boundary condition in CFD simulations

Figure 1

Photograph of Concordia Building-integrated photovoltaic test facility

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