Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SIE) technology, which places a solar absorber at the water-air interface, confines the solar heating to the evaporation interface, which results in minimal …
Thermal management In the process of solar steam generation, the solar evaporation surface usually has a higher temperature than the bulk water, leading to energy loss from the bulk water through thermal conduction.
During the design and installation process of solar panels, a significant amount of attention is given to factors like sunlight absorption and conversion efficiency. However, thermal conductivity in solar panels is frequently overlooked.
Normally measured in W/ (m/K), thermal conductivity represents one of the three main methods of heat transfer with the other two being convection and radiation. Materials like metals or minerals are good conductors.
In recent years, the solar-driven interface evaporation (SDIE) technology has even promoted the innovation of solar thermal evaporation by virtue of its outstanding advantages such as high evaporation rate, environmental friendliness, and economic energy saving .
The heat transfer phenomenon was solved using the energy conservation equation considering multi-mode heat dissipation, i.e., conduction throughout the whole domain, convection within the solar interfacial evaporator and the ambient, and the thermal radiation within the evaporator.
It was shown that the thermal conductivity of monolayer Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene films increased from 1.26 W/ (m·K) to 2.84 W/ (m·K) after increasing the temperature from 80 K to 290 K . Superior thermal conductivity allows for a more efficient transfer of heat to the water body, thus increasing the thermal efficiency of SDIE units.
Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SIE) technology, which places a solar absorber at the water-air interface, confines the solar heating to the evaporation interface, which results in minimal …
For example, Zhong et al. developed a numerical model to simulate the evaporation process in a double-layer structure to explore the effects of operating conditions …
Solar-driven evaporation offers a sustainable solution for water purification, but efficiency losses due to heat dissipation and fouling limit its scalability. Herein, we present a...
In this review, we summarize the main features and unique designs for enhancing the performance of solar-driven interface evaporation units with different structure forms. A performance comparison investigation is made to assess their development potential.
For example, Zhong et al. developed a numerical model to simulate the evaporation process in a double-layer structure to explore the effects of operating conditions (depth and temperature of the bulk water, etc.) and material properties (porosity and thermal conductivity of the substrate layer, etc.) on evaporation performance [41 ...
The separation of solar absorber, evaporation layer, and condensation layer facilitates the reverse distillation process. The thermal conductivity and performance of the absorber are critical as, unlike …
One promising approach to enhance thermal conductivity involves implementing oriented or aligned filler structures. Carbon-based materials, such as nanotubes, graphene, and nanofibers, have emerged as promising candidates due to their exceptional thermal conductivity along their axes [[23], [24], [25]] utilizing various techniques such as physical confinement …
The high thermal conductivity of the RMA composites could enhance the heat transfer from the RMA@P surface to the interface water, which promoted water evaporation to improve the photothermal conversion efficiency. Moreover, the SA aerogel with low thermal conductivity could reduce the heat loss caused by the heat transfer from the ...
Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SIE) technology, which places a solar absorber at the water-air interface, confines the solar heating to the evaporation interface, which results in minimal bulk water heating, and hence inhibits heat dissipation and improves the evaporation efficiency [7, 8]. This makes SIE an ideal choice for water treatment applications.
In this review, we summarize the main features and unique designs for enhancing the performance of solar-driven interface evaporation units with different structure …
Effective thermal transport across solid-solid interfaces, essential in thermal interface materials (TIMs), necessitates both optimal thixotropy and high thermal conductivity. The role of filler surface modification, a fundamental aspect of TIM fabrication, in influencing these properties is not fully understood. This study employs ...
Solar-driven evaporation offers a sustainable solution for water purification, but efficiency losses due to heat dissipation and fouling limit its scalability. Herein, we present a...
Effective thermal transport across solid-solid interfaces, essential in thermal interface materials (TIMs), necessitates both optimal thixotropy and high thermal conductivity. …
The high thermal conductivity of the RMA composites could enhance the heat transfer from the RMA@P surface to the interface water, which promoted water evaporation to improve the photothermal conversion …
When studying the thermal conductivity of NFs, interface layer effects have garnered widespread attention in recent years. ... Effects of interfacial layer on thermal conductivity enhancement of solar salt-based nanofluids: insights from molecular dynamics simulations. Case Stud. Therm. Eng., 35 (2022), Article 102087, 10.1016/j.csite.2022.102087. …
This enables high-performance thermal interface materials (TIMs) to satisfy the needs for high thermal conductivity and low contact thermal resistance during interfacial heat transfer processes [56]. Except that, the comparation of the instantaneous temperature distribution of pristine AA and its composites at an identical temperature is presented. Clearly, …
Xue et al. [155] reported that simple flame treatment of natural wood can serve as an ideal solar absorber with low thermal conductivity (0.33 W m −1 K −1), ultra-high solar absorptivity (∼99%) and good hydrophilicity (Fig. 7 c). Flame-treated wood can concentrate solar heat on the surface of the evaporator with a solar thermal efficiency of about 72% and an …
Solar driven interface evaporation co-generation is expected to simultaneously solve the shortage of freshwater resources and the energy crisis. Herein, based on the natural …
Utilization of solar energy is commonly possible by three systems: solar photovoltaic system, solar thermal system, and their combination [16].Among these, the solar photovoltaic system uses photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert solar energy into electricity which can be employed for industrial and domestic needs [17, 18].On the other hand, solar thermal …
This study presents an innovative technique to create an aluminum-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite embedded with liquid metal (LM) pillars, abbreviated as (Al-PDMS-LMP). This method not only allows for customized adjustment of the thermal conductivity of the thermal interface material but also efficiently utilizes the high thermal conductivity advantage of the liquid metal. …
The as-prepared PI aerogel solar collector (PIASC) also exhibits a low thermal conductivity (0.032 W/mK), a low density (0.1 g/cm 3), and high porosity (90%). By changing the shape of the collector from a flat plate to a …
The efficient transfer of thermal energy at interfaces involves complex interactions and scattering processes, such as electron–phonon interactions, phonon–phonon interactions, and phonon-interface scattering. 15, 16 The structure of interfaces and interface defects introduces scattering centers, influencing the thermal conduction process. In-depth research on ITR aims to unveil …
The separation of solar absorber, evaporation layer, and condensation layer facilitates the reverse distillation process. The thermal conductivity and performance of the absorber are critical as, unlike conventional front-side evaporation, there is a process of conductive heat transfer between the evaporator and the backside ...
This can limit their usefulness in high-efficiency solar cells. To enhance the thermal conductivity of polymers, several approaches can be employed. One approach is to incorporate conductive fillers, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, or metallic particles, into the polymer matrix. These fillers form a conductive network within the polymer and ...
Stay updated with the latest news and trends in solar energy and storage. Explore our insightful articles to learn more about how solar technology is transforming the world.