Experimental investigation on using ferrofluid and rotating magnetic field (RMF) for cooling enhancement in a photovoltaic cell

A new cooling technique for a photovoltaic cell (PVC) system was developed by simultaneous using of rotating magnetic field (RMF) and ferro-nanofluid. In this study, pure deionized water and Fe3O4-water nanofluid with different volume fractions were used as cooling mediums. Results obtained from RMF and ferrofluid were compared with pure water in terms of the average temperature and electrical output of the PV cell versus time till the system reaches a steady-state condition. The influence of the concentration of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) (ϕ = 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05 (w/v)), the rotational speed of magnet (ω) and the magnetic field induction (B = 350, 450, 570, 720 and 880 mT) were investigated. Generally, using RMF and ferrofluid showed higher effect for the cooling enhancement of PV cell compared with using pure water and ferrofluid without magnetic field. Actuation of ferrofluid by RMF enhances the thermal efficiency (ɳ) in the range of 17.8-30%. The electrical power generated in the range of 2.62-3.5 W related to ferrofluid concentration, magnetic field induction and rotational speed of magnets. The effect of ω in RMF on the cooling performance was evaluated and measurable enhancements of ɳ and %P (max) increase were seen. Maximum values of the generated power (3.5 W), percentage of maximum power increase (47.5%) and thermal efficiency (30%) were attained for B = 880 mT, ω = 30 rad/s and ferrofluid concentration of 0.05 (w/v).