Abstract
For the purpose of collecting solar radiation for energy conversion and utilization and improving the output performance of thermoelectric power-generation components, a new solar thermoelectric conversion device based on an all-glass solar heat transfer pipe and gravity-assisted heat pipe with recycling air cooling and water cooling circuits is designed. The uniqueness of the device lies in the combination of gravity-assisted heat pipes with excellent thermal conductivity and a direct air-cooled mode, a fin-cooled mode, and two solar-driven water-cooling modes with different flow rates. Based on the structure, the device can realize four separate output modes and multiple composite output modes and has practical significance for meeting different load power requirements, such as wireless sensors and electronics. Under a state of regular illumination from 3.14 × 104 lx to 10.04 × 104 lx, with one thermoelectric power generator (TEG) in one mode, the peak output voltage and power values of the device in single-output mode range from 183.1 mV to 370.7 mV and 33.5 mW to 137.2 mW, respectively, proving the feasibility of the proposed device. The energy supply of the above structure is completely obtained from the natural environment, and this aspect provides a high reference value for the cross-research of natural environment energy utilization and thermoelectric energy-conversion technology.
Highlights
Thermoelectric technology has become a popular means of energy conversion in recent years because of the rapid development of thermoelectric materials [1,2]
The energy supply of the above structure is completely obtained from the natural environment, and this aspect provides a high reference value for the cross-research of natural environment energy utilization and thermoelectric energy-conversion technology
For the purpose of improving the output performance of a thermoelectric power-generation process, a new solar thermoelectric conversion device based on an all-glass solar heat transfer pipe and gravity-assisted heat pipe with recycling air cooling and water cooling circuits is designed
Summary
Thermoelectric technology has become a popular means of energy conversion in recent years because of the rapid development of thermoelectric materials [1,2]. Thermoelectric materials provide a reliable source of heat transfer between two or more electromagnets, and thermoelectric power generators are a research hotspot in thermodynamics. Benefitting from light weight, high reliability, low cost, lack of noise, and environmental friendliness, an increasing number of thermoelectric power generators have been investigated, analysed and widely used to solve power supply limitation issues. Due to the low energy efficiency of thermoelectric materials, the output power of thermoelectric power devices is limited, which greatly hinders the promotion and utilization of thermoelectric technology. To obtain a higher output power, more researchers have begun to combine thermoelectric power with solar energy.
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