Review of Selected Heat Transfer Topics for Solar Thermal Energy Utilization and Storage
Abstract This review article, developed by the K6 Committee—Heat Transfer in Energy Systems, a part of the Heat Transfer Division (HTD) of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), summarizes advancements in heat transfer technologies for solar thermal energy utilization and storage, focusing on concentrated solar power (CSP), solar-driven cooling, sensible and latent thermal energy storage (TES), and novel heat exchanger designs. Key topics include heat transfer enhancement strategies such as additive manufacturing, phase change materials (PCMs), and triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures for improving efficiency. The advances in solar-driven cooling and multigeneration systems are analyzed, emphasizing thermodynamic optimization through exergy and entropy generation minimization. Additionally, the study examines emerging methodologies, including constructal theory and second-law analysis, to enhance the performance of solar thermal applications. The article highlights overlaps in TES strategies, heat exchanger innovations, and system optimization approaches, offering a comprehensive perspective on sustainable energy solutions. Future research directions include scaling advanced TES materials, optimizing hybrid cooling technologies, and improving structural integrity in high-temperature heat exchangers.
Authors
- Hohyun Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2691-9360)
- Abdulmajeed S. Al-Ghamdi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2033-1558)
- Juan C. Ordóñez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3418-7091)
- Peiwen Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6551-3865)
- Sandra K. S. Boetcher (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2975-2073)
- Gerardo Diaz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2846-0362)
- Ramon Peruchi Pacheco da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7202-1917)
- Julia Haltiwanger Nicodemus
- S. A. Sherif (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9131-1821)
- Forooza Samadi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5674-3936)
- Isabel Melendez
- Aggrey Mwesigye (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1054-6774)
- Hamidreza Najafi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2189-2231)
- Leitao Chen
- Karl Morgan
Institutions
- Florida Institute of Technology (US)
- Florida A&M University - Florida State University College of Engineering (US)
- University of Arizona (US)
- University of California, Merced (US)
- University of Calgary (CA)
- University of Alabama (US)
- Lafayette College (US)
- King Abdulaziz University (SA)
- University of Florida (US)
- Daytona State College (US)
- University of Jeddah (SA)
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté (FR)
- San Jose State University (US)
- Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (US)
- Florida College (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Solar Energy Engineering
- Published
- 2025-04-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4068519
- Citations
- 8
- Primary Topic
- Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.91