Numerical approach to nanofluid cooling of semiconductor-based electronic components based on maximum flux function, average velocity, temperature evolution, average Nusselt number and cell efficiency.

Abstract

In this work, we use numerical simulation to study the cooling of a photovoltaic solar panel using a nanofluid as a cooler. The thermophysical properties of the nanofluid are assumed to be constant. The thermophysical properties of the nanofluid are assumed to be constant. In addition, the fluid phase and the nanoparticle phase are in a state of thermal equilibrium and flow at the same speed. The Boussinesq approximation is valid. Thermal conductivity and dynamic viscosity are calculated from Maxwell's and Brinkman's models respectively. The permanent forms of the Navier-Stokes equations and the conservation of mass and energy equations are solved using the finite element method. The results obtained are presented in terms of velocity profiles and local and mean Nusselt numbers for different values of Reynolds number and volume fraction. Mathematical correlations of the numerical results are deduced. The solar panel is subjected to a hot temperature typical of the climate in the town of Béchar in south-west Algeria. The nanofluid (Al₂O₃-water) is introduced into the cavity at a constant horizontal velocity and subjected to the ambient (cold) temperature. The equations governing flow hydrodynamics and heat transfer are described by the Navier-Stockes and energy equations. The finite element method is used to solve the system of partial differential equations (PDE) based on the Galerkin method. We attribute the effect of solid volume fraction and aspect ratio for different Reynolds number values on results such as temperature, velocity, mean Nusselt numbers and solar panel efficiency.