Overall performance optimisation of tapered leg geometry based solar thermoelectric generators under isoflux conditions

Maduabuchi, Chika; Njoku, Howard O.; Eke, Mkpamdi; Mgbemene, Chigbo A.; Lamba, Ravita; Ibrahim, J. S.

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2021.229989

Cited by 38 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…The study was conducted using a numerical model developed in COMSOL Multiphysics and all the computational models were subjected to the same temperature difference of 128 K. The authors reported that for a constant material volume in all the thermoelements, the rectangular-leg thermoelectric generator developed the highest power output and conversion e ciency of 0.11 W and 5.48%, respectively. Nevertheless, these ndings cannot be applied to solarpowered thermoelectric systems where the incident heat ux is imposed on the device hot junction and the thermoelectric legs determine the temperature distribution through the device elements [22]. Finally, Bian et al, [23] proposed and fabricated rectangular-, circular-, helix-and spoke-leg thermoelectric generators using 3-dimensional printing technique for radioisotope thermoelectric generators.…”

Section: Variable Area Leg Thermoelectric Generatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

WITHDRAWN: A prediction model for a concentrating solar thermoelectric generator using artificial neural networks and extreme learning machines

Maduabuchi

Al‐Dahidi

Alnami

et al. 2022

Preprint

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The current numerical simulation tools used to optimize the performance of concentrating solar thermoelectric generators are extremely time consuming, and consequently require expensive computational energies. Furthermore, they are incapable of considering the effects of diverse real-life operating conditions on the performance of the system. Additionally, they sometimes neglect temperature dependency in the thermoelectric semiconductors and base their studies on just unicouple thermoelectric cells to avoid the further complexity of the numerical computation. These factors limit the flexibility of optimization studies that can be conducted on solar thermoelectrics; hence, limiting the insights that can be drawn to design high performing solar thermoelectric generators. This work is the first of its kind to introduce artificial neural networks and extreme learning machines as a substitute to these numerical methods to accelerate and ease the design process of solar thermoelectric generators. The data generation process is conducted using a 3-dimensional numerical model developed in ANSYS numerical solver and the optimized parameters include the high-temperature material content, semiconductor height and area, concentrated solar irradiance, cooling film coefficient, wind speed, and ambient temperature – on the system performance. A full-scale customized thermoelectric module comprising 127 thermocouples is designed and integrated in an optical concentrator for solar power generation while considering temperature dependency in all thermoelectric materials. Results depict that the geometry and operating condition optimization improved the system power and efficiency by 42.02% and 82.23%, respectively. Furthermore, the artificial neural network had the highest regression of 95.82% with the least mean squared error of 2.71 \(\times\) 10− 5 in learning the numerical-generated data set while performing 389 and 203 times faster than the numerical method in forecasting the system power and efficiency, respectively. Finally, methods of manufacturing the optimized thermoelectric module using 3-dimensional printing are discussed.

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Section: Variable Area Leg Thermoelectric Generatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

WITHDRAWN: A prediction model for a concentrating solar thermoelectric generator using artificial neural networks and extreme learning machines

Maduabuchi

Al‐Dahidi

Alnami

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…The temperature dependent properties of bismuth-telluride are obtained from refs. [19,20]. Additionally, the properties of other materials, such as the ceramic plates, copper electrodes and solder paste, are sourced from refs.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar Energy Conversion Using a Thermoelectric Generator with Conical Frustum Shaped Pins

Ramesh¹,

Kumar²,

Lamba³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Waste heat is inevitable in any human endeavour. Thus, the need to develop thermal energy conversion systems. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are solidstate devices that convert waste heat to useful electricity. They have found various applications in converting solar energy to electricity, harvesting exhaust waste heat in automobiles and power plants and providing power for spacecrafts by converting the heat released during radioactive decay to electricity. Despite these perks, they are characterised by very low efficiencies. Thus, several efficiency enhancement strategies such as material modification and leg geometry alteration have been introduced. Pertaining the latter, the trapezoidal shaped geometry has been studied extensively. Although it offers a higher efficiency compared to the conventional rectangular leg geometry, it still exhibits higher thermal stresses and consequently, a reduced lifespan. A conical frustum shaped TE pin has not been conceived yet. The investigation of this leg geometry is important since it might provide a higher efficiency and operating lifetime compared to the current trapezoidal leg. Thus, a thoroughly validated numerical model is used in evaluating the performance of three TEGs comprising rectangular, trapezoidal and conical frustum shaped TE legs. Results indicate that the proposed conical frustum leg TEG enhances the power density and exergy efficiency of the trapezoidal device by 20% and 23%, respectively. Also, the thermal stress and thermodynamic irreversibilities of the trapezoidal leg TEG are reduced by 2% and 0.5%, respectively.

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“…18 These devices offer several desirable perks such as solid-state and noiseless operation, environmental friendliness, and zero maintenance costs. 19 Due to their harnessing of the TE effects to convert thermal energy, they have found various applications in converting waste heat in several power systems to electricity. 20 More specifically, they have proven to be good companions with PV systems in hybrid designs such as the PV-thermoelectric generators (TEGs) 21 and PV-TE coolers (TECs).…”

Section: Thermoelectric Devices Applied In Tandem Pvsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermodynamic modeling of a spectrum split perovskite/silicon solar cell hybridized with thermoelectric devices

Eke

Ibeagwu

Okoroigwe

et al. 2022

Intl J of Energy Research

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To facilitate the attainment of higher performance in the tandem perovskite/ silicon solar cell, this work seeks to conduct the thermodynamic modeling and analysis of a spectrum splitting tandem perovskite/silicon solar hybridized with thermoelectric (TE) devices. A dichroic beam splitter is employed as the solar concentrator for the utilization of the entire solar spectrum and the effects of temperature dependency and leg geometry alteration are considered in the TE device pins. Additionally, a TE cooler (TEC) is lapped behind the backplate of the tandem solar cell to reduce overheating and allow for higher power generation from the hybrid system. Finally, novel equations are developed to study the effects of varying the halide composition of the perovskite on the overall system performance. Among several fascinating results obtained, it was disclosed that increasing the bromine composition only improved the system's performance when a halide composition of 0.2 was used for hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite thickness ranging from 300 to 400 nm. It was also forecasted that as the solar cells are exposed to higher concentrated solar irradiances, the effects of increasing the halide composition on the system's performance will become more notable. Additionally, utilizing a TEC to maintain the tandem solar cell backplate temperature at 293K is not beneficial to the system's performance when a beam splitter is used. Finally, it was found that the highest system efficiency of 42% was obtained at a split wavelength of 800 nm which is considerably higher than the 23.6% reported for standalone perovskite/Si. These results are sufficient to provide useful insights regarding the operation of spectrum splitting tandem perovskite/silicon solar cells with TE devices.

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Overall performance optimisation of tapered leg geometry based solar thermoelectric generators under isoflux conditions

Cited by 38 publications

References 38 publications

WITHDRAWN: A prediction model for a concentrating solar thermoelectric generator using artificial neural networks and extreme learning machines

WITHDRAWN: A prediction model for a concentrating solar thermoelectric generator using artificial neural networks and extreme learning machines

Solar Energy Conversion Using a Thermoelectric Generator with Conical Frustum Shaped Pins

Thermodynamic modeling of a spectrum split perovskite/silicon solar cell hybridized with thermoelectric devices

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