Modeling moisture ingress through polyisobutylene‐based edge‐seals

Kempe, Michael; Panchagade, Dhananjay; Reese, Matthew O.; Dameron, Arrelaine A.

doi:10.1002/pip.2465

Cited by 43 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…No attempt was made to dry the samples out in an effort to more closely duplicate the conditions in an assembled module. Despite it being theoretically possible to dry out the edge seals after exposure, that approach has been shown to be problematic . However, during the assembly of the test samples, the polymer is heated up in a dry atmosphere that may allow for some moisture to escape off of the surfaces of the edge seal tape, but not enough to meaningfully dry the samples.…”

Section: Experimental Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These PIB edge seal materials were known to incorporate an unknown molecular sieve type as a desiccant. For the purposes of this experiment, we assumed it was a type 3A because that type would not absorb O 2 , N 2 , and CO 2 , which could have the potential for degassing problems as was seen previously with a different edge seal . The absorptive properties were empirically modeled as

italicRH = \frac{a + b \cdot T_{w} + c \cdot {T_{w}}^{2} + d \cdot W_{b} + e \cdot {W_{b}}^{2} + f \cdot {W_{b}}^{3}}{1 + g \cdot T_{w} + h \cdot W_{b} + i \cdot {W_{b}}^{2} + j \cdot {W_{b}}^{3}},

where RH is the relative humidity (%), T w is the temperature in (°C), and W b is the weight fraction water in the molecular sieves.…”

Section: Experimental Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The adsorption of water is either irreversible (as in CaO), or reversible (as in molecular sieves). When embedded in a polymer matrix, molecular sieves require application of prolonged exposure to high temperature to release the water to allow it to diffuse through an edge seal as discussed herein . Due to the unavailability of such high temperatures, the actual performance result are similar to irreversible desiccants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this work, we study the permeation characteristics of a PIB that uses a molecular sieve‐based desiccant. Because a molecular sieve desiccant can absorb and desorb moisture, and because the sorptive capacity is a function of humidity and temperature, this material could behave differently than the CaO‐based edge seal studied previously . With these, there is the possibility that water can desorb forming water droplets in the polymer matrix.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Moisture ingress prediction in polyisobutylene‐based edge seal with molecular sieve desiccant

Kempe

Nobles

Postak³

et al. 2017

Progress in Photovoltaics

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Often photovoltaic modules are constructed with materials that are sensitive to water. This is most often the case with thin film technologies, including perovskite cells, where the active layers are a few microns thick and can be sensitive to moisture, liquid water or both. When moisture or liquid water can ingress, a small amount of water can lead to corrosion and depending on the resulting reactions, a larger local detrimental effect is possible. To prevent moisture from contacting photovoltaic components, impermeable frontsheets and backsheets are used with a polyisobutylene (PIB)‐based edge seal material around the perimeter. Here, we evaluate the ability of a PIB‐based edge seal using a molecular sieve desiccant to keep moisture out for the expected module lifetime. Moisture ingress is evaluated using test coupons where the edge seal is placed between 2 pieces of glass, one of which has a metallic calcium film on it, and monitoring the moisture ingress distance as a function of time. We expose samples to different temperature and humidity conditions to create permeation models useful for extrapolation to field use. This extrapolation indicates that this PIB material is capable of keeping moisture out of a module for the desired lifetime.

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Section: Experimental Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

italicRH = \frac{a + b \cdot T_{w} + c \cdot {T_{w}}^{2} + d \cdot W_{b} + e \cdot {W_{b}}^{2} + f \cdot {W_{b}}^{3}}{1 + g \cdot T_{w} + h \cdot W_{b} + i \cdot {W_{b}}^{2} + j \cdot {W_{b}}^{3}},

where RH is the relative humidity (%), T w is the temperature in (°C), and W b is the weight fraction water in the molecular sieves.…”

Section: Experimental Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Moisture ingress prediction in polyisobutylene‐based edge seal with molecular sieve desiccant

Kempe

Nobles

Postak³

et al. 2017

Progress in Photovoltaics

Self Cite

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show abstract

“…[12][13][14] Edge seals were obtained from several different manufacturers. Some desiccants used reactive chemistry and others used molecular sieve-based methods.…”

Section: Sample Constructionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using a butt joint test to evaluate photovoltaic edge seal adhesion

Kempe

Korkmaz

Postak³

et al. 2019

Energy Science & Engineering

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Many photovoltaic (PV) technologies have been found to be sensitive to moisture that diffuses into a PV package. Even with the use of impermeable frontsheets and backsheets, moisture can penetrate from the edges of a module. To limit this moisture ingress pathway from occurring, manufacturers often use a low permeability polyisobutylene (PIB)‐based edge seal filled with desiccant to further restrict moisture ingress. Moisture ingress studies have shown that these materials are capable of blocking moisture for the 25‐year life of a module; but to do so, they must remain well‐adhered and free of cracks. This work investigates the potential use of a butt joint test for evaluating the long‐term durability of adhesion by looking for significant changes in the failure mode or quantitative value of a butt joint test. A round robin experiment was conducted using six different materials and two sample constructions, with and without effort to control edge pinch. Tests were evaluated looking at the strength of the bond, and the type of failure observed in a round robin test involving five laboratories. It was found that both the measured values, and the observed failure modes were repeatable and reproducible within at 95% confidence interval.

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Flexible Glass in Thin Film Photovoltaics

Reese

2017

Flexible Glass

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Modeling moisture ingress through polyisobutylene‐based edge‐seals

Cited by 43 publications

References 23 publications

Moisture ingress prediction in polyisobutylene‐based edge seal with molecular sieve desiccant

Moisture ingress prediction in polyisobutylene‐based edge seal with molecular sieve desiccant

Using a butt joint test to evaluate photovoltaic edge seal adhesion

Flexible Glass in Thin Film Photovoltaics

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