Modeling a flat solar panel equipped with PCM for an organic ranking cycle

Subject Areas : Analytical and Numerical Methods in Mechanical Design

Farshid Rashvand ¹ , Farshad Kowsary ² , Ghasem Akbari ³

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Received: 2024-07-10 Accepted : 2024-09-15 Published : 2025-10-30

Keywords: Thermodynamic analysis, Solar energy, Flat plate collector, Phase change materials, Organic Rankine Cycle, Energy and exergy analysis,

Abstract :

In this study, the performance of phase change materials (PCM) in solar panels and its combination with the organic Rankine cycle, has been investigated. After thermal modelling of the flat plate collector (FPC) and obtaining the amount of collector output energy, different parts of the system are comprehensively examined. Thermodynamic analysis of the solar collector (equipped with PCM) and the organic Rankine cycle is carried out using EES. The parameters affecting the system performance are also investigated, including the amount of solar radiation, the minimum evaporator temperature difference, and the relationship between exergy efficiency and the amount of surface radiative flux. The results reveal that the system performance in the presence of PCM is significantly superior compared to the case without PCM.

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