Experimental Investigation and Mathematical Modeling of a Novel Solar Thermoelectric Generator Incorporated with Thermal Condensing System

Abstract

This study presents an investigation of the electrical energy output capability of a new thermoelectric generator system and reports on its design and fabrication. It was aimed to increase the current and voltage values by connecting six thermoelectric generators (TEGs) in series and parallel using a system with efficient thermal conversion. In this way, usable electrical energy was produced. The constructed system consists of heat pipes with solar glass tubes for collecting solar irradiance, a heat exchanger with an active cooling system for cooling, thermoelectric (TE) modules that were sandwiched between the upper heat chamber and heat sink, and a lower heat chamber adapted to heat pipes. The efficiency of electrical energy production in the system depends on the proper circulation of the working fluid in the system and active cooling. Numerical parameters such as open circuit voltage, solar irradiance and temperature values were collected from various parts of the constructed system, while electrical parameters such as short circuit current, maximum power output and Seebeck coefficient were obtained through calculation. Experimental measurements were taken at 41 degrees 14 ' N, 36 degrees 26 ' E with sea level on August 1, 6, and 8, 2019 and July 2, 3, and 4 of 2020. The data was collected from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The data of July 2 and 3, 2020, with the greatest numerical values, were used in the experimental presentation. The highest value of open circuit voltage was obtained 7.52 V on July 3, 2020, whereas the solar irradiance value was measured 662 W/m2. As a result, the value of maximum output power was calculated as 5.236 W. Following the experimental investigation, a numerical model with TEGs and a hybrid cooling system was developed. The developed model was validated against the data of open-circuit voltage, cold side and water outlet temperatures obtained from six different experimental tests. When the findings were analyzed, it was discovered that the developed model produced results that were compatible with the experimental measurements.