Solar Photovoltaic-Supercapacitor Coupled Thermal Management Device and Method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device, characterized in that the device comprises a backplane channel and a housing structure containing a phase change material; wherein, the backplane channel is used to transfer the heat generated during the operation of the solar photovoltaic panel to the housing structure containing the phase change material through the working fluid flowing in the backplane channel, so that the housing structure stores the heat, and is used to reduce the temperature of the solar photovoltaic panel based on the heat transfer of the working fluid; the housing structure after heat storage is used to maintain the supercapacitor encapsulated therein under a constant temperature condition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of new energy power generation and energy storage, and particularly relates to a solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device and method. Background Art

[0002] Due to the increasingly serious fossil energy crisis and environmental pollution problems, the efficient development and utilization of renewable energy have gradually become a global hot topic. The efficient utilization and promotion of solar energy are one of the effective methods to alleviate energy shortages and solve environmental problems. In recent years, solar photovoltaic power generation technology has achieved rapid development. The materials of solar panels mainly include monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, and thin-film batteries, etc., among which monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon batteries are the most widely used. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of solar photovoltaic cells is significantly affected by their temperature. Under a certain solar illumination intensity, the increase in the temperature of the photovoltaic cells themselves will cause a decrease in their power generation. Research shows that for every 1°C increase in the temperature of the photovoltaic cell module, its photoelectric conversion efficiency decreases by about 0.4%. In engineering applications, the rated photoelectric conversion efficiency of silicon cells under 1 times standard sunlight intensity is about 18%. Therefore, more than 82% of the radiant energy received by the solar photovoltaic panel is converted into low-grade heat energy, causing the temperature of the photovoltaic cells to rise and further reducing their photoelectric conversion efficiency. In view of this, efficient thermal management of solar photovoltaic during high-temperature periods in summer is the key to ensuring its photoelectric conversion efficiency and power generation. In addition, effectively transferring and storing and utilizing the waste heat of solar photovoltaic is also an important way to improve the comprehensive energy utilization efficiency of solar energy. In winter, when the temperature drops suddenly, the solar photovoltaic panel will frost, ice, or snow, resulting in too low an effective solar irradiance intensity received by the photovoltaic panel, which limits the power generation of the photovoltaic.

[0003] The above information disclosed in the background art section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present invention, and therefore may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art in this country. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aiming at the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention proposes a solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device and method. The object of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions. A solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device, characterized in that;

[0005] The device includes a backplane channel and a housing structure containing a phase change material;

[0006] Wherein,

[0007] The backplane channel is used to transfer the heat generated during the operation of the solar photovoltaic panel to the housing structure containing the phase change material through the working fluid flowing in the backplane channel, so that the housing structure can store heat, and is also used to reduce the temperature of the solar photovoltaic panel based on the heat transfer of the working fluid;

[0008] The housing structure after heat storage is used to maintain the supercapacitor wrapped therein under a constant temperature condition.

[0009] Preferably,

[0010] The device further includes a liquid storage tank for storing a closed-loop working fluid.

[0011] Preferably,

[0012] When the solar photovoltaic panel stops working and the temperature of the closed-loop working fluid in the liquid storage tank drops below the melting point of the phase change material as a whole, the phase change material releases the latent heat it stores to maintain the ambient temperature of the liquid storage tank constant.

[0013] Preferably,

[0014] The backplane channel is provided on the back of the solar photovoltaic panel, and the backplane channel includes a first inlet of the working fluid flow channel for introducing the working fluid and a first outlet of the working fluid flow channel for discharging the working fluid.

[0015] Preferably,

[0016] The device further includes an anti-gravity oscillating heat pipe, which is provided on the back of the solar photovoltaic panel and adjacent to the backplane channel for heat conduction.

[0017] Preferably,

[0018] The supercapacitor is used for storing electric energy.

[0019] Preferably,

[0020] The liquid storage tank includes;

[0021] A second inlet, which is connected to the outlet of the working fluid flow channel to introduce the closed-loop working fluid from the backplane channel;

[0022] A second outlet, which is connected to the inlet of the working fluid flow channel to discharge the closed-loop working fluid in the liquid storage tank.

[0023] Preferably,

[0024] The device further includes a plurality of slots, which are provided on the liquid storage tank.

[0025] Preferably,

[0026] The device further includes metal fins, which are inserted into the slots and exchange heat with the working fluid in the liquid storage tank.

[0027] Preferably,

[0028] The housing structure containing the phase change material is provided with an insulating and heat-preserving cover plate.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0030] The present invention utilizes the solar photovoltaic water cooling technology, which can not only effectively cool the photovoltaic cells and improve their photoelectric conversion efficiency, but also efficiently transfer and utilize the low-grade waste heat generated by photovoltaic power generation to maintain the supercapacitor at the optimal working temperature of 40°C, effectively improving its charging efficiency. At the same time, the additional waste heat generated by solar photovoltaic power generation is stored in the phase change material in the form of latent heat to regulate the operating temperature of the system at night. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] By reading the following detailed description of the preferred specific embodiments, various other advantages and benefits of the present invention will become clear to those of ordinary skill in the art. The accompanying drawings of the specification are only for the purpose of showing the preferred embodiments and are not considered to be a limitation of the present invention. Obviously, the following described drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts. Moreover, throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to represent the same components.

[0032] In the drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a housing structure containing a phase change material of a solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 3(a) is a schematic structural diagram of a solar photovoltaic panel and a backplane flow channel of a solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 3(c) are schematic three-dimensional structural diagrams of a solar photovoltaic panel and a backplane flow channel of a solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a metal fin and a water storage tank of a solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] The present invention will be further explained below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. Detailed implementation manners

[0039] The following will refer to the attached Figures 1 to 4 to describe the specific embodiments of the present invention in more detail. Although the specific embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that the present invention can be more thoroughly understood and the scope of the present invention can be fully communicated to those skilled in the art.

[0040] It should be noted that in the description of the specification and claims, certain terms are used to refer to specific components. Those skilled in the art should understand that technicians may use different nouns to refer to the same component. The specification and claims of this application do not use the difference in nouns as a way to distinguish components, but use the difference in the functions of components as the criterion for distinction. As mentioned throughout the specification and claims, "comprising" or "including" is an open-ended term and should be interpreted as "including but not limited to". The subsequent description of the specification is for the purpose of implementing the preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the description is for the general principles of the specification and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0041] For the convenience of understanding the embodiments of the present invention, the following will further explain with specific embodiments as examples in conjunction with the drawings, and each drawing does not constitute a limitation to the embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device, which is characterized in that

[0043] the device includes a backplane channel and a housing structure containing a phase change material;

[0044] wherein,

[0045] the backplane channel is used to transfer the heat generated during the operation of the solar photovoltaic panel to the housing structure containing the phase change material through the working fluid flowing in the backplane channel so that the housing structure stores the heat, and is used to reduce the temperature of the solar photovoltaic panel based on the heat transfer of the working fluid;

[0046] the housing structure after heat storage is used to maintain the supercapacitor wrapped therein under a constant temperature condition.

[0047] In one embodiment,

[0048] the device further includes a liquid storage tank for storing a closed-loop working fluid.

[0049] In one embodiment,

[0050] When the solar photovoltaic panel stops working and the temperature of the closed-loop working fluid in the liquid storage tank drops below the melting point of the phase change material as a whole, the phase change material releases the latent heat it stores to maintain the ambient temperature of the liquid storage tank constant.

[0051] In one embodiment,

[0052] A backplane channel, which is provided on the back of the solar photovoltaic panel, and the backplane channel includes a first inlet of the working fluid flow channel for introducing the working fluid and a first outlet of the working fluid flow channel for leading out the working fluid.

[0053] In one embodiment,

[0054] The device further includes an anti-gravity oscillating heat pipe, which is provided on the back of the solar photovoltaic panel and adjacent to the backplane channel for heat conduction.

[0055] In one embodiment,

[0056] A super capacitor, which is used for storing electric energy.

[0057] In one embodiment,

[0058] The liquid storage tank includes,

[0059] A second inlet, which communicates with the outlet of the working fluid flow channel to introduce the closed-loop working fluid from the backplane channel,

[0060] A second outlet, which communicates with the inlet of the working fluid flow channel to lead out the closed-loop working fluid in the liquid storage tank.

[0061] In one embodiment,

[0062] The device further includes a plurality of slots, which are provided on the liquid storage tank.

[0063] In one embodiment,

[0064] The device further includes metal fins, which are inserted into the slots and exchange heat with the working fluid in the liquid storage tank.

[0065] In one embodiment,

[0066] The housing structure containing the phase change material is provided with an insulating and heat-preserving cover plate.

[0067] In one embodiment,

[0068] A solar photovoltaic panel, which converts light energy into electric energy;

[0069] A backplane channel, which is provided on the back of the solar photovoltaic panel, and the backplane channel includes a first inlet of the working fluid flow channel for introducing the closed-loop working fluid and a first outlet of the working fluid flow channel for leading out the closed-loop working fluid;

[0070] An anti-gravity oscillating heat pipe is provided on the back of the solar photovoltaic panel and adjacent to the backplane channel for heat conduction;

[0071] A liquid storage tank stores a closed-loop working fluid. The liquid storage tank includes

[0072] A second inlet that communicates with the outlet of the working fluid flow channel to introduce the closed-loop working fluid from the backplane channel;

[0073] A second outlet that communicates with the inlet of the working fluid flow channel to export the closed-loop working fluid in the liquid storage tank;

[0074] A plurality of slots are provided on the liquid storage tank;

[0075] A first connecting pipe has one end connected to the second outlet and the other end connected to the inlet of the working fluid flow channel;

[0076] A second connecting pipe has one end connected to the outlet of the working fluid flow channel and the other end connected to the second inlet. The liquid storage tank forms a closed-loop circulation channel via the first connecting pipe, the second connecting pipe, and the liquid storage tank;

[0077] Metal fins are detachably connected to the slots to insert into the closed-loop working fluid for heat exchange in the liquid storage tank;

[0078] A housing structure containing a phase change material is covered by the metal fins. When the temperature of the working fluid in the liquid storage tank is higher than the melting point of the housing structure containing the phase change material, the housing structure containing the phase change material stores the heat transferred by the working fluid in its latent heat and maintains a constant temperature environment; when the temperature of the working fluid in the liquid storage tank drops below the melting point of the housing structure containing the phase change material, the housing structure containing the phase change material releases the latent heat again and maintains a constant temperature environment;

[0079] A super capacitor is used to store electric energy, and the super capacitor is provided in the housing structure containing the phase change material.

[0080] For the above more specific embodiments, when the solar photovoltaic panel operates, it generates electricity based on the photovoltaic effect and simultaneously generates waste heat, causing its temperature to rise. Driven by the flow pump, the heat is transferred to the housing structure containing the phase change material through the closed-loop working fluid via the backplane channel, the second connecting pipe, the liquid storage tank, and the metal fins. The housing structure containing the phase change material stores the heat and maintains the super capacitor wrapped therein under a constant temperature condition. Based on the heat transfer of the closed-loop working fluid, the temperature of the solar photovoltaic panel decreases;

[0081] When the environmental temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature, the photothermal module heats the closed-loop working fluid flowing in through the flow control valve.

[0082] When the solar photovoltaic panel stops working and the temperature of the closed-loop working fluid in the liquid storage tank drops below the melting point of the phase change material as a whole, the phase change material releases the latent heat it stores to maintain the ambient temperature of the liquid storage tank constant.

[0083] In one embodiment,

[0084] The first connection channel is provided with a flow dividing valve. One end of the third connection channel is connected to the flow dividing valve, and the other end is connected to the working fluid flow channel inlet. A photothermal module that converts light energy into heat energy is arranged in the third connection channel to heat the closed-loop working fluid therein.

[0085] In one embodiment,

[0086] A flow pump is arranged in the first connection channel to pump the closed-loop working fluid.

[0087] In one embodiment,

[0088] The housing structure containing the phase change material is provided with an insulating and heat-preserving cover plate.

[0089] In one embodiment,

[0090] The backplane channel material includes an aluminum plate and silicone rubber, insulating thermal conductive adhesive or thermal conductive silicone grease connecting the solar photovoltaic panel.

[0091] In one embodiment,

[0092] The metal fins include straight fins or pin fins.

[0093] In one embodiment,

[0094] The supercapacitor is an electric double layer capacitor.

[0095] In one embodiment,

[0096] The phase change temperature of the housing structure containing the phase change material is 40 °C to maintain the charge and discharge of the supercapacitor in a constant temperature environment of 40 °C.

[0097] In one embodiment,

[0098] The photothermal module includes a trough solar collector or a flat plate solar collector.

[0099] For better understanding, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in a solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device,

[0100] a solar photovoltaic panel 2, which generates electricity through the photovoltaic effect and simultaneously generates low-grade waste heat,

[0101] Backplane channel 1, which is a channel through which the closed-loop working fluid flows, is close to the backplane of the photovoltaic panel 2. The area 9 where the working fluid in the backplane channel 1 directly contacts and exchanges heat with the photovoltaic backplane is as Figures 3(a) to 3(c) shown.

[0102] Closed-loop working fluid, which is a fluid that transfers heat in a closed-loop cycle, has few impurities, low viscosity, is not easy to solidify, and has a relatively large heat capacity; in summer, it takes away the waste heat of the photovoltaic panel 2 through forced convection, and in winter, it is heated by the solar thermal module 16 to defrost, deice, and melt snow for the photovoltaic panel 2, and is replenished through the working fluid filling port 15.

[0103] Anti-gravity oscillating heat pipe 10, which has a high equivalent thermal conductivity, is a heat conduction device between the backplane channels 1, assists in conducting the waste heat of the photovoltaic panel 2, and plays a certain role in fixing and supporting the backplane of the photovoltaic panel 2.

[0104] Working fluid flow channel outlet 4, which is a connecting device between the outlet of the backplane channel 1 of the photovoltaic panel and the inlet 13 of the liquid storage tank 7.

[0105] Working fluid flow channel inlet 3, which is a connecting device between the outlet 14 of the liquid storage tank 7, the flow pump 5, and the backplane channel 1 of the photovoltaic panel.

[0106] Solar thermal module 16, which is a device that heats the heat exchange working fluid in winter to make it flow in the backplane channel 1 of the photovoltaic panel 2 to deice, defrost, and melt snow.

[0107] Diversion valve 17, which is a diversion device in the working fluid flow channel inlet 3 for selecting whether to directly fill the cooling working fluid into the backplane channel 1 in summer or fill the working fluid into the solar thermal module flow channel 18 for heating in winter.

[0108] Solar thermal module flow channel 18, which is a channel through which the working fluid flows when heated in the solar thermal module 16, and then is connected to the backplane channel 1 to deice, defrost, and melt snow for the photovoltaic panel 2.

[0109] Liquid storage tank 7, which is embedded with the metal fins 11 and is connected to the working fluid flow channel, and is used to store the working fluid.

[0110] Flow pump 5, which is a device that drives the working fluid to flow in the flow channel.

[0111] Metal fins 11, which are inserted into the liquid storage tank 7 and cover the outer packaging of the housing structure 6 containing the phase change material, and are used to strengthen the heat transfer of the working fluid to the supercapacitor 8.

[0112] A housing structure 6 containing a phase change material is wrapped outside the supercapacitor 8. When the working medium temperature in the liquid storage tank 7 is higher than the melting point of the housing structure 6 containing the phase change material, the housing structure 6 containing the phase change material stores the heat transferred by the working medium in its latent heat and maintains a constant temperature environment of 40 °C to improve the charge and discharge efficiency of the supercapacitor 8; when the working medium temperature in the liquid storage tank 7 drops below the melting point of the housing structure 6 containing the phase change material, the housing structure 6 containing the phase change material releases the latent heat again to keep the supercapacitor 8 at the optimal working temperature of a constant 40 °C.

[0113] The supercapacitor 8 is located in the thermal insulation layer of the housing structure 6 containing the phase change material in the outer shell of the metal fins 11 and is used as a device for storing electrical energy.

[0114] The insulating and thermal insulation cover plate 12 is located on the thermal insulation shell of the housing structure 6 containing the phase change material, which is convenient for replacing the supercapacitor 8 therein.

[0115] When the solar photovoltaic stops working at night, the supercapacitor can be used as a backup power source to overcome the bottleneck problem of the intermittent power supply of solar photovoltaic. The supercapacitor has a high charge and discharge power density, a wide operating temperature range, is green and environmentally friendly, and has a long cycle life. It is an important new energy power generation energy storage device. Since the viscosity of the electrolyte is determined by temperature, the working environment temperature will affect the rate performance, power density and energy density of the supercapacitor. When the ambient temperature is 40 °C to 60 °C, the flexible packaging supercapacitor with activated carbon as the positive and negative electrode active materials has relatively high electrochemical performance, and has relatively the best electrochemical performance at 40 °C, which is beneficial to improving the charge and discharge efficiency of the supercapacitor. In addition, the phase change material has the characteristics of high energy density and constant phase change process temperature, can efficiently store low-grade waste heat, and effectively regulate the ambient temperature. Therefore, based on the latent heat energy storage of the phase change material and its temperature control mechanism, maintaining the supercapacitor at its optimal working temperature of 40 °C is of great significance for improving the charge and discharge efficiency of the supercapacitor, and is also an important means to realize the stable power supply of the solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupling system.

[0116] In the present invention, when the photovoltaic panel 2 operates in summer, the waste heat of the photovoltaic panel is transferred to the flowing working fluid in its backplane channel 1 by convective heat transfer. The working fluid is driven by a flow pump 5 to circulate in the closed-loop channel 1. At the same time, an anti-gravity oscillating heat pipe 10 is used to assist heat transfer, realizing efficient cooling of the photovoltaic panel 2 and improving its photoelectric conversion efficiency. The working fluid heated by the waste heat of the photovoltaic panel enters the liquid storage tank 7 through the inlet flow channel of the liquid storage tank 7. The heat of the liquid storage tank 7 is transferred to the housing structure 6 containing the phase change material through the metal fins 11 wrapped outside the phase change heat storage material. The metal fins 11 inserted into the liquid storage tank 7 play a role in enhancing heat transfer. The housing structure 6 containing the phase change material stores heat in its latent heat during the melting process and effectively maintains a constant temperature environment of 40 °C to improve the charging efficiency of the supercapacitor 8. At night, when the photovoltaic panel 2 stops working and cannot transmit electric energy outward, the supercapacitor 8 serves as a backup power supply to supply power outward. At this time, the flow pump 5 stops working, and the housing structure 6 containing the phase change material releases latent heat to maintain the temperature of the working fluid in the liquid storage tank 7 constant at 40 °C to improve the discharge efficiency of the supercapacitor 8. Combining the power generation of the photovoltaic panel 2 and the electricity storage of the supercapacitor 8 can effectively improve the stability of the system's energy supply. When the temperature drops suddenly in winter, frost, ice, or snow will form on the surface of the photovoltaic panel 2, resulting in a significant reduction in the effective solar light intensity received by the photovoltaic panel 2. At this time, the photothermal module 16 starts to work, heating the working fluid flowing in from the flow dividing valve 17, and realizing defrosting and snow melting based on the convective heat transfer of the working fluid in the backplane channel 1, improving the effective light intensity received by the photovoltaic panel 2 and enhancing the photovoltaic power generation. At the same time, heating the supercapacitor 8 based on the working fluid can improve its charging efficiency. At night, the photovoltaic panel 2 and the photothermal module 16 stop working, the supercapacitor 8 becomes the backup power supply, the working fluid flow pump 5 stops working, and the housing structure 6 containing the phase change material releases latent heat to maintain the liquid storage tank 7 at a constant temperature of 40 °C to ensure the discharge efficiency of the supercapacitor 8. The electric energy generated by the efficient thermal management of solar photovoltaic is much higher than the pump power consumed by the flow of the working fluid in its backplane channel 1. The photovoltaic panel 2 can be used to supply energy to the flow pump 5, and the electric energy not consumed by the remaining external loads can be stored in the supercapacitor 8, ultimately realizing the efficient and stable energy output of the solar photovoltaic 2 - supercapacitor 8 coupling system in different seasons.

[0117] In the described solar photovoltaic - supercapacitor coupled thermal management device, the application types of the photovoltaic panel 2 include but are not limited to the roofs of new energy vehicle charging piles, small-scale self-power supply, ordinary user rooftop photovoltaics, agricultural and photovoltaic complementary photovoltaics, etc.

[0118] In the described solar photovoltaic - supercapacitor coupled thermal management device, the materials of the backplane channel 1 include but are not limited to materials with high thermal conductivity and light weight such as aluminum plates and aluminum foams. When connecting to the backplane of the photovoltaic panel 2, materials such as silicone rubber, insulating thermal conductive glue, and thermal conductive silicone grease can be used to reduce the contact thermal resistance.

[0119] The described solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device, wherein the structure of the metal fins 11 includes but is not limited to structures such as straight fins and pin fins, and is used to strengthen the heat transfer process between the liquid storage tank 7 and the housing structure 6 containing the phase change material.

[0120] The described solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device, see Figures 3(a) to 3(c) , in one embodiment,

[0121] Within the range of the back surface of the photovoltaic panel, the flow channel may include a plurality of straight segments parallel to each other;

[0122] Beyond the range of the back surface of the photovoltaic panel, the flow channel further includes an arc connecting segment, and the arc connecting segment is used to connect two adjacent straight segments.

[0123] The described solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device, wherein the supercapacitor 8 includes an electric double layer capacitor, which has a fast charge and discharge speed, a wide operating temperature range, is green and environmentally friendly, and requires no maintenance. The ambient temperature will affect the physical and chemical properties of the soft-packaged supercapacitor, such as the viscosity of the electrolyte, thus affecting the rate performance, energy density, etc. of the device. When the ambient temperature is 40-60 °C, the soft-packaged supercapacitor with activated carbon as the positive and negative electrode active materials has relatively high electrochemical performance, and has relatively optimal electrochemical performance at 40 °C.

[0124] The described solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device, wherein the housing structure 6 containing the phase change material has a phase change temperature of 40 °C and is used to maintain the efficient charge and discharge of the supercapacitor in a constant temperature environment of 40 °C.

[0125] The described solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device, wherein the anti-gravity oscillating heat pipe 10 has a higher heat transfer capacity than a pure copper heat conductor, especially under high heat loads, and can assist in conducting the heat generated by the photovoltaic panel 2 from top to bottom against gravity to the backplane cooling channel, and at the same time play a certain role in fixing and supporting the backplane cooling channel. It should be noted that Figures 3(a) to 3(c) The pointed geometric cylinder has the dual functions of supporting the backplane channel and assisting in heat conduction, and can use (including but not limited to) a heat-conducting copper column or an anti-gravity oscillating heat pipe to play a role.

[0126] The described solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device, wherein the closed-loop working medium includes but is not limited to reverse osmosis pure water, antifreeze and other heat exchange working media with a low freezing point, which have the characteristics of low viscosity, high thermal conductivity, and extremely low impurity content, and are not easily blocked; at the same time, the pressure drop during flow circulation is low, less pump work is consumed, and more electric energy is saved.

[0127] The described solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device, wherein the photothermal module includes, but is not limited to, trough solar collectors, plate solar collectors, etc., and is used to collect solar photothermal energy in winter to heat the closed-loop working fluid.

[0128] When the photovoltaic panel works in summer, the photovoltaic waste heat is transferred to the flowing working fluid in the closed-loop channel on its back panel by convective heat transfer. The working fluid is driven by a pump to circulate in the closed-loop channel. At the same time, the anti-gravity heat pipe is used to assist heat transfer to achieve efficient cooling of the photovoltaic panel and improve its photoelectric conversion efficiency. The working fluid heated by the photovoltaic waste heat enters the liquid storage tank through the inlet flow channel of the liquid storage tank. The heat of the liquid storage tank is transferred to the phase change material through the metal fins wrapped outside the phase change heat storage material. The metal fins inserted into the liquid storage tank play a role in strengthening heat transfer. The phase change material stores the heat in its latent heat during the melting process and effectively maintains a constant temperature environment of 40°C to improve the charging efficiency of the supercapacitor. At night, when the photovoltaic panel stops working and cannot deliver electrical energy outward, the supercapacitor serves as a backup power supply to supply power outward. At this time, the flow pump stops working, and the phase change material releases latent heat to maintain the temperature of the working fluid in the liquid storage tank constant at 40°C to improve the discharge efficiency of the supercapacitor. Combining solar photovoltaic power generation and supercapacitor energy storage can effectively improve the stability of the system's energy supply. When the winter temperature drops suddenly, frost, ice, or snow will form on the surface of the photovoltaic panel, resulting in a significant reduction in the effective solar light intensity received by the photovoltaic panel. At this time, the photothermal module starts to work, heats the working fluid flowing in from the flow dividing valve, and realizes defrosting and snow melting based on the convective heat transfer of the working fluid in the photovoltaic back panel channel, improving the effective light intensity of the photovoltaic panel and enhancing the photovoltaic power generation. At the same time, heating the supercapacitor based on the working fluid can improve its charging efficiency. At night, the photovoltaic and photothermal modules stop working, the supercapacitor becomes the backup power supply, the working fluid flow pump stops working, and the phase change material releases latent heat to maintain the liquid storage tank at a constant temperature of 40°C to ensure the discharge efficiency of the supercapacitor. The electrical energy generated by the efficient thermal management of solar photovoltaics is much higher than the pump power consumed by the flow of the working fluid in its back panel channel. The photovoltaic panel can be used to supply energy to the flow pump, and the electrical energy not consumed by the remaining external loads can be stored in the supercapacitor, ultimately realizing the efficient and stable energy output of the solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupling system in different seasons.

[0129] Table 1 below describes the working states of the photovoltaic panel without a water-cooled channel and an anti-gravity oscillating heat pipe in summer, the working state of the photovoltaic panel with only an anti-gravity oscillating heat pipe, and the working state of the photovoltaic panel with both a water-cooled channel and an anti-gravity oscillating heat pipe. (Simulated using commercial software ANSYS2021R2 FLUENT, with an inlet water temperature of 27°C and a panel size of 6m * 6m)

[0130] Table 1 Working conditions of the photovoltaic panel in different states at an ambient temperature of 35°C (solar irradiance intensity 1000W)

[0131]

[0132] Table 2 Working conditions of the photovoltaic panel in different states at an ambient temperature of 40°C (solar irradiance intensity: 1000 W)

[0133]

[0134] The usage method includes the following steps.

[0135] When the solar photovoltaic panel is working, it generates electricity based on the photovoltaic effect and simultaneously generates a large amount of waste heat, causing its temperature to rise. The higher the temperature of the photovoltaic panel, the lower the power generation amount generated by the photovoltaic effect (the power generation efficiency decreases by about 0.4% for every 1°C increase). In addition, in winter, due to the large temperature difference between day and night in the northwest region, the photovoltaic panel surface is prone to frosting and icing, and there are often snowfall weather. These frost, ice, or snow will cover the photovoltaic panel, significantly reducing the effective solar irradiance intensity received by the photovoltaic panel, which is one of the factors causing limited power generation of the photovoltaic panel in winter.

[0136] Driven by a continuously working flow pump, heat is transferred to the phase change material through the heat exchange working fluid via the cooling channel of the photovoltaic backplane, the working fluid flow channel (out), the liquid storage tank, and the metal fins. The phase change material stores heat using its latent heat of phase change characteristics and maintains the supercapacitor wrapped therein at a constant temperature of 40°C with the best electrochemical performance.

[0137] Based on the heat transfer of the working fluid, the temperature of the solar photovoltaic panel decreases, and the power generation efficiency is greatly improved, enabling a relatively high power generation amount to be maintained. Due to the temperature control effect of the phase change material, the working temperature of the supercapacitor is always stably maintained at 40°C, which is the temperature condition with relatively the best electrochemical performance.

[0138] When the photovoltaic panel stops working at night, the internal heat generation disappears, the temperature decreases, the flow pump stops working, and the working fluid no longer flows and transfers heat. When the temperature of the working fluid in the liquid storage tank drops below the melting point of the phase change material as a whole, the phase change material releases the stored latent heat to maintain the ambient temperature of the liquid storage tank at a constant 40°C. In view of this, the supercapacitor wrapped in the phase change material can work at the temperature with relatively the highest electrochemical performance, ensuring the discharge efficiency of the supercapacitor at night.

[0139] When the temperature drops suddenly in winter, the photovoltaic panels are frosted, frozen, or covered with snow, resulting in too low effective solar irradiance intensity received by them and limited power generation. At this time, the solar thermal module starts to work, heating the heat transfer working fluid flowing in from the shunt valve and flowing on the back panel of the photovoltaic panel to defrost and melt the snow, improving the effective light intensity received by the photovoltaic panel and significantly increasing its power generation in winter. At the same time, the increase in the temperature of the heat transfer working fluid can significantly heat the environment of the liquid storage tank, improve the working efficiency of the supercapacitor, and is conducive to the efficient storage of electric energy. At night, the solar photovoltaic and thermal modules stop working, and the supercapacitor becomes the backup power supply. When the temperature of the liquid storage tank drops, the phase change material releases its latent heat and maintains the ambient temperature constant at 40°C to ensure the efficient discharge of the supercapacitor.

[0140] The efficient transfer and utilization of the waste heat of solar photovoltaic power generation effectively improve the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic, greatly increase its power generation in summer, and enable the supercapacitor to store and release electric energy with the highest charge-discharge efficiency through temperature regulation. At the same time, the present invention solves the problem of sudden drop in power generation caused by too low effective solar irradiance intensity due to frosting, icing, or snow accumulation on the surface of the photovoltaic panel in winter, making the entire solar photovoltaic power generation-supercapacitor energy storage coupling system have better stability.

[0141] In summary, the present invention also has the following characteristics:

[0142] The present invention also proposes a solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled energy system, which uses efficient thermal management technology to improve the solar photovoltaic power generation efficiency and the supercapacitor energy storage efficiency at different times in summer and winter. For every 1°C increase in the temperature of the solar photovoltaic cell, the photoelectric conversion efficiency decreases by approximately 0.4%. During the high-temperature period of the day in summer, the high-efficiency defrosting, de-icing, and snow-melting technology for the photovoltaic panel surface becomes the key to increasing the acceptable solar irradiance intensity and the photovoltaic power generation. Therefore, by combining the solar thermal module and solar photovoltaic power generation, heating the heat transfer working fluid through the solar thermal module and injecting the working fluid into the photovoltaic backplane channel to achieve defrosting, de-icing, and snow-melting can effectively improve the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic in winter. At night, when the solar photovoltaic stops working, a supercapacitor is used as a backup power supply. When the ambient temperature in the liquid storage tank drops below the melting point of the phase change material, the phase change material releases latent heat to maintain the supercapacitor at the optimal electrochemical performance temperature of 40°C to ensure its discharge efficiency. During the low-temperature period in winter, the present invention can effectively use the solar thermal module to heat the heat transfer working fluid and flush it into the photovoltaic backplane channel to achieve de-icing, defrosting, and snow-melting of the photovoltaic panel, improve the effective solar irradiance intensity received by it, and thus increase the photovoltaic power generation. At the same time, based on the heat transfer working fluid heated by the solar thermal module, the working temperature environment of the supercapacitor can be improved to ensure its efficient energy storage in the optimal electrochemical performance range. The related technologies proposed by the present invention can simultaneously improve the solar photovoltaic power generation efficiency and the supercapacitor electricity storage efficiency. The increased photovoltaic power generation is much less than the power consumed by the active water cooling technology, and it solves the bottleneck problem of the intermittency of solar photovoltaic power supply, having considerable engineering benefits and social and economic value.

[0143] Therefore, the present invention provides a solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device. In summer, the waste heat of the photovoltaic is transferred to the circulating working fluid in its backplane closed-loop channel by convective heat transfer, and the working fluid is driven by a pump. The anti-gravity heat pipe assists in heat transfer to achieve efficient cooling of the photovoltaic panel. The working fluid heated by the waste heat of the photovoltaic enters the liquid storage tank, and the heat of the liquid storage tank is transferred to the phase change material through the metal fins wrapped outside the phase change heat storage material. The phase change material stores the heat in its latent heat to maintain a constant temperature environment of 40°C and improve the charging efficiency of the supercapacitor. In winter, the solar thermal module heats the working fluid to achieve defrosting and snow-melting of the photovoltaic panel, and the working fluid heats the supercapacitor to improve its charging efficiency. At night, the supercapacitor becomes the backup power supply, the pump stops working, and the phase change material releases latent heat to maintain the constant temperature of the liquid storage tank at 40°C to ensure the discharge efficiency of the supercapacitor, ultimately achieving the all-weather efficient and stable energy output of the solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled system in different seasons. It can be understood that the constant temperature of 40°C is only a preferred temperature value, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0144] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments and application fields. The above specific embodiments are merely illustrative and guiding, rather than restrictive. Those of ordinary skill in the art can also make many forms under the inspiration of this specification and without departing from the scope protected by the claims of the present invention, and these all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device, characterized in that the device includes a backplane channel and a housing structure containing a phase change material; wherein the backplane channel is used to transfer the heat generated during the operation of the solar photovoltaic panel to the housing structure containing the phase change material through the working fluid flowing in the backplane channel, so that the housing structure stores the heat, and is used to reduce the temperature of the solar photovoltaic panel based on the heat transfer of the working fluid; After heat storage, the housing structure is used to maintain the supercapacitor wrapped therein under a constant temperature condition. The device further includes a liquid storage tank that stores a closed-loop working fluid. A plurality of slots are provided in the liquid storage tank, and metal fins are inserted into the slots to exchange heat with the working fluid in the liquid storage tank. The housing structure is covered by the metal fins. When the temperature of the working fluid in the liquid storage tank is higher than the melting point of the housing structure containing the phase change material, the housing structure containing the phase change material stores the heat transferred by the working fluid in its latent heat and maintains a constant temperature environment; when the temperature of the working fluid in the liquid storage tank drops below the melting point of the housing structure containing the phase change material, the housing structure containing the phase change material releases the latent heat again and maintains a constant temperature environment.

2. The solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device according to claim 1, wherein when the solar photovoltaic panel stops working and the temperature of the closed-loop working fluid in the liquid storage tank drops below the melting point of the phase change material as a whole, the phase change material releases the latent heat it stores and maintains the ambient temperature of the liquid storage tank constant.

3. The solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device according to claim 1, wherein the backplane channel is provided on the back of the solar photovoltaic panel, and the backplane channel includes a first inlet of the working fluid flow channel for introducing the working fluid and a first outlet of the working fluid flow channel for discharging the working fluid.

4. The solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device according to claim 1, wherein the device further includes an anti-gravity oscillating heat pipe, which is provided on the back of the solar photovoltaic panel and adjacent to the backplane channel for heat conduction.

5. The solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device according to claim 1, wherein the supercapacitor is used to store electrical energy.

6. The solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage tank includes; a second inlet, which communicates with the outlet of the working fluid flow channel to introduce the closed-loop working fluid from the backplane channel; a second outlet, which communicates with the inlet of the working fluid flow channel to discharge the closed-loop working fluid in the liquid storage tank.

7. The solar photovoltaic-supercapacitor coupled thermal management device according to claim 1, wherein the housing structure containing the phase change material is provided with an insulating and heat-preserving cover plate.

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