Abstract
The present work aimed to examine the performance of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) augmented with a hydronic evacuated tube solar collector heat exchanger used to heat a cold zone. TEGs were operated on the temperature difference between hot water circulated through the heat exchanger and the cold temperature of the surrounding space. The setup model of a heat exchanger with TEGs installed on the outer surface was examined numerically under steady state conditions for natural and forced convection modes. The results obtained show that 1.03 W of electricity could be produced when the temperature differences across the TEG and air velocity are 60 °C and 0.5 m/s, respectively. Also, an increase of 17.47% of TEG power was achieved for each 5 °C drop in surrounding space temperature and by 11% for each 5 °C rise in circulated hot water temperature. Besides the importance of improving TEG efficiencies, the amount of generated electricity may be valuable when large-surface area heat exchanger units are installed in large systems.
Highlights
Electrical energy is the most fascinating form of energy resulting from the flow of electric charge and can be used in various applications and needs, especially for residential, commercial, and industrial applications [1]
When the hot water from the solar collector flows through the heat exchanger, conduction heat transfers to the hot side of the thermoelectric generator (TEG), and the heat will be rejected from the cold side into the room space air as a supply heating source
The main variables that the amount of energy generated by the TEG will be affected by are the hot water temperature and circulation ratio, the space room temperature surrounding the TEG, and the space air speed when force convection occurs using fans
Summary
Electrical energy is the most fascinating form of energy resulting from the flow of electric charge and can be used in various applications and needs, especially for residential, commercial, and industrial applications [1]. The power generated by the TEG is considered as the difference between the hot and cold heat transfer rates and is given by: P 1⁄4 Qh−Qc ð21Þ
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