Harvesting solar thermal energy with a micro-gap thermionic-thermoelectric hybrid energy converter: Model development, energy exchange analysis, and performance optimization

Abstract

We present a comprehensive analysis of a dual, micro-gap thermionic-thermoelectric hybrid energy converter by developing a detailed theoretical model of the system. The space-charge and near-field effects in thermionic conversion and the temperature-dependent effects in thermoelectric conversion are considered while studying the energy flow through the cascade system. The temperatures and energy exchange channels in the different parts of the system are quantified using a self-consistent iterative algorithm considering the energy balance condition. The model is deployed to simulate the hybrid system performance when energized by a constant heat flux source which could, for example, be concentrated solar irradiance. The effect of solar radiation intensity on the combined system efficiency, and the dependence of the thermoelectric generator performance on the waste heat released from the thermionic top stage, are illustrated with several examples. Based on these analyses, a performance optimization of the hybrid system is carried out. The findings presented in this work offer useful insights into the hybrid generator operation. Moreover, the model developed can be used as a design tool for the practical implementation of such a hybrid system, or for extracting material- and device-related parameters from experimental data.