Metal Wick Manufacturing for Solar Panel Cooling and Salt-Water Desalination

Metal Wick Manufacturing for Solar Panel Cooling and Salt-Water Desalination

Presenter(s)

Emily Mann

Comments

Presentation: 1:20-1:40 p.m., Kennedy Union 311

Description

Thermal control systems are integral to maintaining efficient and reliable solar power panels. A proposed method of energy capture in disaster areas includes creating floating solar panel areas that are cooled by the ocean water beneath them and also will provide a small amount of desalinated water. Sintered porous wicks will be used to move salt water up to the back of the solar panel to provide cooling while also desalinating the water. Wicks created in a variety of methods, environments, and materials are being studied to analyze the effect they have on permeability and porosity to determine the type of wick most effective in this application. The resulting wick must make enough capillary pressure to move water through it while having small enough pores to remove the salt from the water.

Publication Date

4-19-2023

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Andrew Schrader

Primary Advisor's Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Keywords

Stander Symposium, School of Engineering

Metal Wick Manufacturing for Solar Panel Cooling and Salt-Water Desalination

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