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Entropy generation analysis of different solar thermal systems

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Abstract

The entropy generation analysis is an approach to optimize the performance of different thermal systems by investigating the related irreversibilities of the system. This paper provides a concise review of the entropy generation analysis performed for different solar thermal energy systems including solar collectors, solar heaters, solar heat exchangers, and solar stills. The mathematical formulation and the equations for calculating the entropy generation are briefly presented. Moreover, main passive techniques including the usage of nanofluids, porous materials, and inserts which are used to improve the efficiency of different solar systems are discussed. It is shown that using entropy generation minimization method is an efficient tool to find the optimal design of solar systems. The current review aims to motivate researchers in the field of solar energy for using entropy generation analysis to reduce the lost work and consequently improving the system performance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Energy, Faculty of New Science and Technologies, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

    Saman Rashidi

  2. Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China

    Liu Yang

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Semnan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Semnan, Iran

    Ali Khoosh-Ahang

  4. International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China

    Dengwei Jing

  5. School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China

    Omid Mahian

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  1. Saman Rashidi
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  2. Liu Yang
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  3. Ali Khoosh-Ahang
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  4. Dengwei Jing
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  5. Omid Mahian
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Correspondence to Saman Rashidi.

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Rashidi, S., Yang, L., Khoosh-Ahang, A. et al. Entropy generation analysis of different solar thermal systems. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 20699–20724 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08472-2

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