Performance analyses on a novel heat pump with a hybrid condenser combined with flat plate micro-channel heat pipe plus TEG and FPV evaporator

Abstract

A novel heat pump with a hybrid condenser combined with flat plate micro-channel heat pipe (MCHP) plus thermoelectric generator (TEG) and Fresnel photovoltaic (FPV) evaporator is proposed and investigated in this paper. In the previous work, the TEG is inserted between the concentrated PV and absorber plate in the evaporator. Although the TEG can convert the heat stored on PV into electricity, it hinders the heat dissipation of PV, which affects the PV performance. However, if TEG is stalled in the condenser, it could improve the electrical performance and total performance of the system by transforming collected heat into electricity without affecting the heat dissipation of PV. In addition, the MCHP is used to collect heat in condenser to achieve a high heat flow density and high output of TEG. The results show that the addition of TEG in condenser could elevate the electrical and total performance of the system. The TEG not only increases electrical efficiency by 10.83% under 100 W/m2 irradiation, 292.15 K ambient temperature, and 303.15 K water temperature but also increases total exergy efficiency by 6.02% under 100 W/m2 solar irradiation, 286.15 K ambient temperature, and 297.15 K water temperature. The lifting effect is more significant under low solar irradiation. Moreover, the influence of solar irradiation, ambient temperature, and water temperature is also investigated and discussed.