Performance prediction of a new solar-driven electrochemical refrigerator

Abstract

A new solar-driven electrochemical refrigerator model is proposed by integrating a dye-sensitized solar cell with a thermally regenerative electrochemical refrigerator. Considering various irreversible losses within the dye-sensitized solar cell, thermally regenerative electrochemical refrigerator as well as between them, mathematical formulas for the performance parameters of dye-sensitized solar cell and thermally regenerative electrochemical refrigerator as well as the solar-driven electrochemical refrigerator are derived. Based on the energy balance equation, the electric current relation between the dye-sensitized solar cell and the thermally regenerative electrochemical refrigerator are derived. The maximum cooling rate density and maximum coefficient of performance of the solar-driven electrochemical refrigerator could reach 800.47 W m−2 and 0.8, respectively. There exists an optimum thin film thickness of DSSC to optimize the system performance. A larger photoelectron absorption coefficient, specific charge capacity, isothermal coefficient or regenerative efficiency positively improves the solar-driven electrochemical refrigerator performance. However, a larger Schottky barrier, internal resistance of TRER and temperature difference between hot and cold heat reservoirs is unfavorable for the solar-driven electrochemical refrigerator performance. The obtained results may offer some guidance for the design and optimization of such an actual refrigerator.