Keywords
delta winglet pair, heat transfer enhancement, flow characteristics, standardized regression coefficient, solar panels, wind tunnel
Abstract
We can manipulate the prevailing atmospheric wind to enhance the convective cooling of a solar photovoltaic panel and thus its energy conversion efficiency. The transverse spacing (D) of a delta winglet pair was examined for its role in convective heat transfer enhancement. A pair of winglets with an inclination angle of 90° and chord/height (c/h) ratio of 2 was positioned at an attack angle of 30° with respect to incoming wind at a Reynolds number, based on the winglet height, of 6300. The transverse distance, D, was varied from 0 to 3h in 1h increments. The Nusselt number normalized by the reference no-winglet case, Nu/Nu0, was determined from the surface temperature measured by a thermal camera. The D=2h case was found to lead to the largest Nu/Nu0. This significant heat transfer enhancement was explained in terms of vortical flow characteristics detailed at 10h downstream of the winglet pair, where the most potent downwash was induced when D=2h.
Primary Advisor
Dr. David Ting
Program Reader
Dr. Vesselina Roussinova
Additional committee member(s)
Mr. Steve Ray
Degree Name
Master of Applied Science
Department
Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering
Document Type
Major Research Paper
Convocation Year
2021