Performance analysis of a hybrid solar thermoelectric generator. Issue 20 (17th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sundarraj, Pradeepkumar; Roy, Susanta Sinha; Taylor, Robert A.; Maity, Dipak
• Is Part Of: Energy sources. Volume 38:Issue 20(2016)
• Page Start: 2977
• Page End: 2984
• Publication Date: 2016-10-17
• Subjects: Forced convection cooling -- hybrid solar thermoelectric -- parabolic trough -- solar thermal -- vacuum insulation; Natural resources -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Climatic factors -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Environment aspects -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1080/15567036.2016.1180331
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1556-7036

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this paper, a theoretical model is developed to investigate the performance of the hybrid solar thermoelectric generator (HSTEG) system, which is designed without (B-HSTEG) and with an evacuated glass tube (V-HSTEG). The heat loss, power output, thermal efficiency, and electrical efficiency of the B-HSTEG/V-HSTEG system are evaluated by analyzing the design parameters such as geometric solar concentration ratio, thermoelectric figure of merit, and cold-side inlet fluid temperature. The performance of the B-HSTEG is compared with the V-HSTEG system using two heat transfer fluids: water and Therminol VP-1. The maximum electrical efficiency of the B-HSTEG and V-HSTEG is estimated to be 12.2 and 15.6% (ZT = 3) with a corresponding thermal efficiency of about 61.9 and 60.3%, respectively. Overall, this paper provides a systematic performance analysis of HSTEG systems.