A novel economic-cost and thermal comparative case study between segmented and non-segmented thin-film solar annular thermoelectric generator

Abstract

One of the key effective parameters on the efficiency of thermoelectric generator is the material of n-type and p-type semiconductors. Thermoelectric generator works based a huge temperature difference between two sides semiconductors. Unfortunately, the suitable efficient materials for high temperature range (hot side of thermoelectric) are not efficient for low temperature range (cold side of thermoelectric) and vice versa. That is why researchers have recently suggested segmented thermoelectric generator meaning the semiconductors are made of two different separate materials for each side of thermoelectric. This strategy has not been investigated for ultra-thin solar annular thermoelectric generator. Hence, in this research, a comparative case study is provided to clarify the efficiency of the segmented in-plane solar annular thermoelectric generator from economic, energetic and exergetic point of views. The results reveal that for a high range of heat flux, the segmented thermoelectric is more efficient even from economic cost aspect. For heat fluxes greater than 40 kW/m^2, Case 1 provides the lowest dollar/watt value, and for heat fluxes less than 40 kW/m^2, Case 4 shows the minimum dollar/watt value.