A novel hybrid system consisting of a dye-sensitized solar cell and an absorption refrigerator for power and cooling cogeneration. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Qin; Zhang, Houcheng; Hu, Ziyang; Wang, Fu
• Is Part Of: International journal of refrigeration. Volume 113(2020)
• Page Start: 115
• Page End: 125
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Dye-sensitized solar cell -- Absorption refrigerator -- Hybrid system -- Efficiency -- Output power density -- Parametric study; Cellule solaire à colorant -- Réfrigérateur à absorption -- Système hybride -- Efficacité -- Densité de puissance de sortie -- Étude paramétrique; Refrigeration and refrigerating machinery -- Periodicals; 621.56
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2020.02.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-7007

Abstract

Highlights: A new solar powered electricity and cooling cogeneration system is proposed. Various irreversible losses within the proposed system are described. Parameters evaluating the proposed system performance are mathematically formulated. Absorption refrigerators are effective to improve the DSSC performance. Effects of some designing parameters and operating conditions are revealed. Abstract: To improve the energy conversion efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), a novel hybrid system representatively consisting of a DSSC and an absorption refrigerator (APR) is put forward, in which the APR is used to thermally harness the part of high wavelength sunlight that not converted by the DSSC. The amount of heat from the DSSC is calculated, and mathematical formula for energy conversion efficiencies and output powers of the DSSC, APR and hybrid system are derived. Numerical calculations show that the maximum output power density and maximum energy conversion efficiency of hybrid system are enhanced by 9.93% and 9.92% in comparison with that of the single DSSC, respectively. Integration of APR to DSSC is a feasible route to effectively improve the energy conversion efficiency. Comprehensive sensitivity analyses are conducted to explore how the whole hybrid system performance depends on various working conditions and designing parameters, including porous nano-TiO2 film thickness, photoelectron absorption coefficient, internal irreversibility factor, heat transfer coefficient and various temperatures. The research results can provide some new understandings for further enhancing the DSSC performance.