Implementing microencapsulated phase change materials in optimizing combined heat and power from concentrating photovoltaic panels working at high ambient temperatures

Summary

This research proposes manufacturing and using an engineered two-phase flow containing micro 
capsules filled with phase change materials (PCM). The exhaust heat is invested to boost an 
application to maximize the economical merit of the cooling system.
The proposed research project seeks to integrate several ongoing cooperations between the PI and 
the CoPIs and the industrial partner to implement their diverse expertise to achieve a common goal. 
The planned activities (detailed in a Gantt chart and work packages) will build on these ongoing 
activities. The proposed plan of work is divided into 4 work packages. Each work package has a lead 
investigator responsible with the help of the rest of the consortium based on their background and 
percentage of time allocated to the project. The research assistants are recruited for each work 
package with specific assignments based on their discipline. All packages have milestones for each 
reporting period and are divided into phases with measurable performance indices. The work 
packages are summarized in the following paragraphs.
The first work package targets numerical simulations and lab-scale experiments. This work package 
builds on previous numerical simulations performed in cooperation between Dr. Mina and Prof. 
Mikhail and Prof. AbdelMessih to use microencapsulated PCM in cooling photovoltaic panels [1].
The target of this work package is to reach validated optimum design for the cooling system.
The second work package builds on cooperation between Dr. Mina and Prof. ElSabbagh in 
characterization and modelling of the transient response of PCM used in building applications [ 2,3], 
on one hand. and the cooperation between Dr. Mina and Dr. Saleh to manufacture several forms of 
micro- and nano-materials in her laboratory at the Faculty of Education at Ain Shams University
[4,5]. One of these forms is microencapsulated PCM as a slurry in water as base fluid. The target of 
this work package is to manufacture and characterize slurries containing microencapsulated PCM.
The third work package combines the interest of several Co-PIs in using waste heat in useful 
applications. At Arizona State ASU-US, Prof. Phelan has worked on energy-efficient drying 
technologies [6,7], while Prof. Mikhail (with Dr. Cedik) worked in monitoring and controlling the 
thermal performance using IOT [8], as well as molasses processing in Aswan University. Finally, 
Prof. AbdelMessih and Dr. Mina implemented this waste heat to assist thermal desalination in the 
Ain Shams engineering campus [9,10]. The ultimate goal of this work package is to design systems 
for implementing waste heat for different applications (depending on the temperature level).

Achievements

List of Publications from the Project

Partners

• Prof. Patrick Phelan

Project Members

Project Leaders