An integrated absorption cooling technology with thermoelectric generator powered by solar energy

Abstract

A novel integrated solar absorption refrigeration system with a thermoelectric generator and thermoelectric cooler is presented. The proposed system is of a 20-kW single-stage lithium bromide absorption cycle driven by solar evacuated tube collectors or by the heat rejected by the thermoelectric cooler module. The governing equations of the thermodynamic model are solved, and the results are validated. It was found that the coefficient of performance of the system approaches a constant value at a generator temperature of 100 °C. The best performance of the system was found in the case of placing the thermoelectric cooler between the generator and the condenser. The coefficient of performance and the overall thermal efficiency were found to be 1.12 and 73.4%, respectively. Furthermore, a 20% rise in the generator temperature would increase the power produced by thermoelectric generator modules by 60%. An increase of 20% in the thermoelectric generator modules would result in a reduction of 11.5% in its efficiency, while doubling the temperature difference would increase the generated power by a factor of three.