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Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science)  2026, Vol. 60 Issue (10): 2310-2318    DOI: 10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2026.10.022
    
Research progress on application of microchannel cooling technology in concentrator photovoltaics
Wenbin YU1,2(),Xiaoyi YU2,*(),Bo JIANG3,Meijuan XU2,Changxing HU2
1. College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
2. School of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, NingboTech University, Ningbo 315100, China
3. Zhejiang Provincial Technology Innovation Service Center, Hangzhou 310007, China
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Abstract  

To address the core issue of efficiency degradation in concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) caused by high heat flux, microchannel cooling technology has emerged as a critical research direction. Advances in this field were systematically reviewed, with a focus on three mainstream configurations: single-layer, manifold, and jet-impingement structures. The effects of factors such as channel geometry, working fluid, and flow regime on pressure drop, temperature rise, and cooling efficiency were analyzed. Furthermore, the strengths and weaknesses of various flow channel designs, including serpentine, pin-fin, and fractal configurations, were compared. Studies have shown that single-layer straight channels are prone to high pressure drop and temperature non-uniformity. Derived serpentine and fractal channel designs can enhance heat transfer by perturbing the flow. The manifold configuration effectively reduces flow resistance and improves temperature uniformity, often serving as a foundational platform for integrating other cooling technologies. The hybrid jet-impingement and microchannel approach demonstrates potential in addressing localized ultra-high heat flux, though its system complexity and energy consumption still require optimization. Looking ahead, future research on this technology should progressively advance from the millimeter scale to the micro-scale, enabling the development of lightweight and efficient portable concentrator photovoltaic devices. The focus should shift from pursuing “cooling intensity” to emphasizing “intelligent heat transfer architecture,” deeply integrating bionics and artificial intelligence to design adaptive microchannels. Furthermore, the research perspective should transition from optimizing individual components toward a systemic, co-design approach that couples photonic, thermal, electrical, and mechanical multi-physics fields.



Key wordsmicrochannel      concentrator photovoltaic      single-layer structure      manifold structure      jet impingement configuration     
Received: 04 September 2025      Published: 29 July 2026
CLC:  TM 615  
Fund:  宁波市公益性研究计划重点资助项目(2023S010).
Corresponding Authors: Xiaoyi YU     E-mail: 22427166@zju.edu.cn;yuxiaoyi@nbt.edu.cn
Cite this article:

Wenbin YU,Xiaoyi YU,Bo JIANG,Meijuan XU,Changxing HU. Research progress on application of microchannel cooling technology in concentrator photovoltaics. Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science), 2026, 60(10): 2310-2318.

URL:

https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2026.10.022     OR     https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/Y2026/V60/I10/2310


微通道冷却技术在聚光光伏中应用的研究进展

针对聚光光伏因高热流密度导致电池效率下降的核心问题,微通道冷却技术已成为关键研究方向. 本研究综述该领域进展,围绕单层结构、歧管式与射流冲击式3类主流构型展开剖析,分析通道形状、工质与流动模式等因素对压降、温升与冷却效率的影响,并比较蛇形、针鳍、分形式等流道的优劣. 研究表明,单层直通道易出现压降高与温度不均的问题,衍生出的蛇形与分形流道可通过扰动流动强化换热;歧管式设计能有效降低流动阻力、提升温度均匀性,常作为集成其他冷却技术的基础平台;射流冲击与微通道的混合方案则在应对局部超高热流时展现出潜力,但其系统复杂性与能耗仍需优化. 展望未来,该技术后续研究应逐步从毫米级向微米级拓展,为发展轻便、高效的便携式聚光光伏装置提供可能;从追求“散热强度”转向注重“传热巧构”,深度融合仿生学与人工智能,以设计具备自适应能力的智能流道;从单一部件优化转向光-热-电-力多物理场耦合的系统性协同设计.


关键词: 微通道,  聚光光伏,  单层结构,  歧管式,  射流冲击式 
Fig.1 Summary diagram of single-layer microchannels covered
Fig.2 Summary of manifold microchannels covered
Fig.3 Summary of jet impingement and microchannels covered
技术类型优点缺点
单层式? 结构相对简单,是微通道技术的基础.
? 优化设计多样:通过优化微通道结构参数,例如改变流道截面形状(矩形、六边形)、引入收敛/发散型流道(如Ali等[29]和Ghorbani等[30]提出的设计)以及采用蛇形流道结构(如Chen等[32]的设计)等方式,可有效改善流动与换热性能.
? 存在先天缺陷:直线型设计存在压降大和流向温度不均的问题.
? 性能与功耗权衡:一些高效设计(如垂直收敛通道)可能导致高泵浦功率,降低系统净效率.
歧管式
(双层结构)
? 通过缩短流路,能实现更低的电池表面温度和更均匀的温度分布.
?显著降低了系统的压降,从而减少泵浦功率损耗,提高净输出功率.
? 打破了线性流动,流体持续混合重构,提升了换热效率.
? 是叠加其他主动冷却方法(如射流冲击)的理想“基石”.
?多层设计增加了制造的复杂度和成本.
?在低聚光比场景下,其性能优势不足以取代被动冷却系统,实际应用价值受限.
? 内部存在涡流等复杂流态,不容易模拟.
射流冲击式? 通过破坏热边界层和产生湍流,能实现快速的局部冷却,适用于高热通量场景.
?混合方案(如Barrau等[42]的研究)可以通过修改内部几何形状来适应局部散热需求,优化整体温度分布.
? 适用广泛:不仅限于高聚光条件,在低聚光下与被动冷却结合也能显著提升系统性能.
? 若排水不畅,易形成滞流区,导致局部温度过高(热点).? 需要喷射阵列和排水系统,结构和控制更复杂.
? 为实现高速冲击,可能需要较高的驱动压力,消耗更多能量.
Tab.1 Summary of advantages and disadvantages of three types
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