IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v330y2023ipbs0306261922014775.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Methanol steam reforming reactor with fractal tree-shaped structures for photovoltaic–thermochemical hybrid power generation

Author

Listed:
  • Zhao, Kai
  • Tian, Zhenyu
  • Zhang, Jinrui
  • Lu, Buchu
  • Hao, Yong

Abstract

The photovoltaic–thermochemical (PVTC) hybrid system converts thermal energy dissipated by concentrating photovoltaic cells to gain in power generation via the endothermic methanol steam reforming (MSR) reaction. Conventional MSR reactors are challenged by undesirable performances in heat transfer and methanol conversion, impacting the performances of power generation and energy storage of PVTC systems. In this work, an innovative fractal tree-shaped structure is introduced into the flow channels configuration of an MSR reactor to enhance heat transfer performance and methanol conversion. The methanol conversion of the novel reactor is experimentally assessed, which is 12.1 percentage points (relative improvement of 26.5%) higher than that of conventional reactors with serpentine flow channels design. A 3-D multiphysics model of the MSR reactors coupling heat transfer, gas flow, and chemical reaction is developed to reveal the mechanism of methanol conversion improvement. The fractal tree-shaped structure can improve the net solar-electric efficiency of the photovoltaic–thermochemical hybrid system by 5.6–7.5% (up to 36.6%). The efficient solar energy power generation of the PVTC system with energy storage ratio ensures considerable dispatchability for hybrid solar power generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhao, Kai & Tian, Zhenyu & Zhang, Jinrui & Lu, Buchu & Hao, Yong, 2023. "Methanol steam reforming reactor with fractal tree-shaped structures for photovoltaic–thermochemical hybrid power generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 330(PB).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:330:y:2023:i:pb:s0306261922014775
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.120220
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261922014775
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.120220?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Li, Wenjia & Hao, Yong & Wang, Hongsheng & Liu, Hao & Sui, Jun, 2017. "Efficient and low-carbon heat and power cogeneration with photovoltaics and thermochemical storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 1523-1531.
    2. Hsueh, Ching-Yi & Chu, Hsin-Sen & Yan, Wei-Mon & Chen, Chiun-Hsun, 2010. "Transport phenomena and performance of a plate methanol steam micro-reformer with serpentine flow field design," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(10), pages 3137-3147, October.
    3. Li, Wenjia & Hao, Yong, 2017. "Efficient solar power generation combining photovoltaics and mid-/low-temperature methanol thermochemistry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 377-385.
    4. Zheng, Jiayi & Wang, Jing & Chen, Taotao & Yu, Yanshun, 2020. "Solidification performance of heat exchanger with tree-shaped fins," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 1098-1107.
    5. Ijaodola, O.S. & El- Hassan, Zaki & Ogungbemi, E. & Khatib, F.N. & Wilberforce, Tabbi & Thompson, James & Olabi, A.G., 2019. "Energy efficiency improvements by investigating the water flooding management on proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 246-267.
    6. Zhang, Chengbin & Li, Jie & Chen, Yongping, 2020. "Improving the energy discharging performance of a latent heat storage (LHS) unit using fractal-tree-shaped fins," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    7. Li, Wenjia & Ling, Yunyi & Liu, Xiangxin & Hao, Yong, 2017. "Performance analysis of a photovoltaic-thermochemical hybrid system prototype," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 939-947.
    8. Hanley, Emma S. & Deane, JP & Gallachóir, BP Ó, 2018. "The role of hydrogen in low carbon energy futures–A review of existing perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3027-3045.
    9. Guo, Shaopeng & Liu, Qibin & Sun, Jie & Jin, Hongguang, 2018. "A review on the utilization of hybrid renewable energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 1121-1147.
    10. Li, Wenjia & Hao, Yong, 2017. "Explore the performance limit of a solar PV – thermochemical power generation system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 843-850.
    11. Sharaf, Omar Z. & Orhan, Mehmet F., 2015. "Concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPVT) solar collector systems: Part I – Fundamentals, design considerations and current technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1500-1565.
    12. Chow, T.T., 2010. "A review on photovoltaic/thermal hybrid solar technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 365-379, February.
    13. Yao, Ling & Wang, Feng & Wang, Long & Wang, Guoqiang, 2019. "Transport enhancement study on small-scale methanol steam reforming reactor with waste heat recovery for hydrogen production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 986-997.
    14. Islam, Md Tasbirul & Huda, Nazmul & Abdullah, A.B. & Saidur, R., 2018. "A comprehensive review of state-of-the-art concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies: Current status and research trends," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 987-1018.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ling, Yunyi & Li, Wenjia & Jin, Jian & Yu, Yuhang & Hao, Yong & Jin, Hongguang, 2020. "A spectral-splitting photovoltaic-thermochemical system for energy storage and solar power generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    2. Li, Wenjia & Hao, Yong & Wang, Hongsheng & Liu, Hao & Sui, Jun, 2017. "Efficient and low-carbon heat and power cogeneration with photovoltaics and thermochemical storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 1523-1531.
    3. Qu, Wanjun & Hong, Hui & Li, Qiang & Xuan, Yimin, 2018. "Co-producing electricity and solar syngas by transmitting photovoltaics and solar thermochemical process," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 303-313.
    4. Li, Wenjia & Hao, Yong, 2017. "Explore the performance limit of a solar PV – thermochemical power generation system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 843-850.
    5. Li, Wenjia & Ling, Yunyi & Liu, Xiangxin & Hao, Yong, 2017. "Performance analysis of a photovoltaic-thermochemical hybrid system prototype," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 939-947.
    6. Pang, Wei & Cui, Yanan & Zhang, Qian & Wilson, Gregory.J. & Yan, Hui, 2020. "A comparative analysis on performances of flat plate photovoltaic/thermal collectors in view of operating media, structural designs, and climate conditions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    7. Lamnatou, Chr. & Chemisana, D., 2017. "Photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) systems: A review with emphasis on environmental issues," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 270-287.
    8. Liu, Zhan & Liu, Zihui & Guo, Junfei & Wang, Fan & Yang, Xiaohu & Yan, Jinyue, 2022. "Innovative ladder-shaped fin design on a latent heat storage device for waste heat recovery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    9. Bai, Xiao-Shuai & Yang, Wei-Wei & Tang, Xin-Yuan & Yang, Fu-Sheng & Jiao, Yu-Hang & Yang, Yu, 2021. "Optimization of tree-shaped fin structures towards enhanced absorption performance of metal hydride hydrogen storage device: A numerical study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    10. Cossu, Marco & Cossu, Andrea & Deligios, Paola A. & Ledda, Luigi & Li, Zhi & Fatnassi, Hicham & Poncet, Christine & Yano, Akira, 2018. "Assessment and comparison of the solar radiation distribution inside the main commercial photovoltaic greenhouse types in Europe," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 822-834.
    11. Wang, Ruilin & Sun, Jie & Hong, Hui, 2019. "Proposal of solar-aided coal-fired power generation system with direct steam generation and active composite sun-tracking," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 596-612.
    12. Wang, Yangjie & Li, Qiang & Xuan, Yimin, 2019. "Thermal and chemical reaction performance analyses of solar thermochemical volumetric receiver/reactor with nanofluid," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    13. Bushra, Nayab & Hartmann, Timo, 2019. "A review of state-of-the-art reflective two-stage solar concentrators: Technology categorization and research trends," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-1.
    14. Huang, Yongping & Liu, Xiangdong, 2021. "Charging and discharging enhancement of a vertical latent heat storage unit by fractal tree-shaped fins," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 199-217.
    15. Joo Hee Lee & Seong Geon Hwang & Gwi Hyun Lee, 2019. "Efficiency Improvement of a Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) System Using Nanofluids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-16, August.
    16. Modi, Anish & Bühler, Fabian & Andreasen, Jesper Graa & Haglind, Fredrik, 2017. "A review of solar energy based heat and power generation systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 1047-1064.
    17. Hong, Wenpeng & Li, Boyu & Li, Haoran & Niu, Xiaojuan & Li, Yan & Lan, Jingrui, 2022. "Recent progress in thermal energy recovery from the decoupled photovoltaic/thermal system equipped with spectral splitters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    18. Liu, Zhan & Liu, Zihui & Liu, Gang & Yang, Xiaohu & Yan, Jinyue, 2022. "Melting assessment on the effect of nonuniform Y-shaped fin upon solid–liquid phase change in a thermal storage tank," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    19. Huang, Yongping & Yao, Feng & Liu, Xiangdong, 2021. "Numerical study on the thermal enhancement of horizontal latent heat storage units with hierarchical fins," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 383-397.
    20. Li, Jinyu & Yang, Zhengda & Wang, Yiya & Dong, Qiwei & Qi, Shitao & Huang, Chenxing & Wang, Xinwei & Lin, Riyi, 2023. "A novel non-confocal two-stage dish concentrating photovoltaic/thermal hybrid system utilizing spectral beam splitting technology: Optical and thermal performance investigations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 609-622.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:330:y:2023:i:pb:s0306261922014775. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.