Performance optimization and thermodynamic analysis of irreversibility in a contemporary solar thermoelectric generator

Maduabuchi, Chika; Ejenakevwe, Kevwe A.; Mgbemene, Chigbo A.

doi:10.1016/j.renene.2020.12.130

Cited by 45 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…These electrodes conduct the generated current throughout the module. The remaining properties of the PV and TEG constituent materials are taken from References 12,29‐34. Further, to provide a more robust study describing various solar cells, two types of PV cells have been considered.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of leg geometry and multistaging of thermoelectric modules on the performance of a photovoltaic‐thermoelectric system using different photovoltaic cells

Maduabuchi

Lamba

Njoku

et al. 2021

Intl J of Energy Research

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of leg geometry and multistaging of thermoelectric modules on the performance of a photovoltaic‐thermoelectric system using different photovoltaic cells

Maduabuchi

Lamba

Njoku

et al. 2021

Intl J of Energy Research

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“…Hence, the irreversibilities are evaluated by computing the exergy destroyed using. 39 E d = Ex in − P TE ð20aÞ…”

Section: Solar Thermoelectric Generatormentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar power generation using a two‐stage X‐leg thermoelectric generator with high‐temperature materials

2021

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Due to the adverse impacts of fossil fuel sources on the environment and human health, research aimed at generating electricity from the sun has gained increased interest. These adverse effects are more pronounced in thirdworld countries, like Nigeria, which rely heavily on fossil fuel sources for power generation. Nevertheless, Nigeria has an abundant supply of solar energy. Thus, the use of solid-state devices, called thermoelectric generators (TEGs), in harvesting solar energy is a very profitable and clean power generation method. However, these devices are characterised by low efficiencies. Previous scholars showed that altering the thermoelectric leg geometry improved device efficiency. It was also demonstrated that using two-stage TEGs improved device performance. Despite the improvements obtained from these recommendations, we notice that a two-stage TEG design that uses an altered/ variable leg geometry configuration has not been designed before. Thus, we present numerical modelling and optimisation of a two-stage TEG with X-leg geometry configuration using isoflux conditions. The optimised parameters are the external load resistance, taper angle of the X-leg and concentration ratio of the solar concentrator. Finally, we consider the effect of using hightemperature materials in a two-stage design.

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“…The rate of exergy destruction of the STEG system is defined as 9

{Ex}_{d} goodbreak= {Ex}_{in} goodbreak- {P_{o}}_{u}_{t}

Table 1 shows the various optical and geometrical simulation parameters.…”

Section: Numerical Model and Its Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This thermoelectric effect postulates that the existence of a temperature gradient between the junctions of two dissimilar metals generates an electrical voltage 7,8 . The effect further stated that the magnitude of the voltage generated will be proportional to the temperature gradient maintained across both junctions 9,10 . Although TEGs are a promising alternative for fossil fuel sources, they are still limited by their low figure of merit which results in low conversion efficiencies 11,12…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7,8 The effect further stated that the magnitude of the voltage generated will be proportional to the temperature gradient maintained across both junctions. 9,10 Although TEGs are a promising alternative for fossil fuel sources, they are still limited by their low figure of merit which results in low conversion efficiencies. 11,12 The incorporation of solar concentrators to supply input heat to TEGs results in the solar TEGs (STEGs).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Multi‐dimensional optimization of a concentrated solar thermoelectric generator

Maduabuchi

Lamba

Eke

et al. 2021

Intl J of Energy Research

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Summary Research on thermoelectric geometry optimization has focused on stand‐alone thermoelectric devices utilizing energy analysis. This paper considers the multi‐parameter optimization of a solar‐powered thermoelectric generator using exergy analysis since it is more comprehensive than energy analysis. Results indicate that the energy and exergy efficiencies are minimally affected by very high optical concentration ratio values. Also, for achieving maximum performance, larger thermoelectric leg cross‐sectional area to length ratios should be used, the load resistance connected must be kept at an optimum value of 0.06 normalΩ, and an optimal hot junction temperature of 489.8 K are required to obtain maximum performance from the device. Finally, the thermoelement area to length ratio is increased by 10% for maximum system performance.

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Performance optimization and thermodynamic analysis of irreversibility in a contemporary solar thermoelectric generator

Cited by 45 publications

References 32 publications

Effects of leg geometry and multistaging of thermoelectric modules on the performance of a photovoltaic‐thermoelectric system using different photovoltaic cells

Effects of leg geometry and multistaging of thermoelectric modules on the performance of a photovoltaic‐thermoelectric system using different photovoltaic cells

Solar power generation using a two‐stage X‐leg thermoelectric generator with high‐temperature materials

Multi‐dimensional optimization of a concentrated solar thermoelectric generator

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