Comparative study of compound parabolic concentrator - photovoltaic thermal – thermoelectric generator (CPC-PVT-TEG) collector integrated with vapour absorption refrigeration (VAR) system

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this communication, a hybrid CPC-PVT-TEG collector integrated with the VAR system has been analyzed, taking into consideration 3 different types of PV modules based on their back cover material, namely Tedlar (Case 1), Aluminium (Case 2) and semi-transparent (glass to glass) (Case 3). The simulation of the whole system, including the hybrid collector and VARS, has been done for a clear day in May in New Delhi using MATLAB 2021b. A comparative study has been conducted between the three cases and based on the results obtained from the analysis, the overall exergy (EEX), overall exergy efficiency (ηEX), daily electrical energy and overall exergy attained their highest values for Case 2 [Aluminum based] with their values being 289.33 Wh, 28.92%, 2.37 kWh and 2.55 kWh, respectively. The coefficient of performance (COP), which is a measure of the refrigeration effect of the VAR system, attained its highest value for Case 3 [glass to glass based] at 1.28 and lowest value for Case 1 [Tedlar based] at 0.28. Also, from a purely overall exergy aspect, the aluminum-based hybrid CPC-PVT-TEG collector integrated with the VAR system (Case 2) is found to be the most suitable with exergy and exergy efficiency values and from the refrigeration as well as from a thermal exergy aspect, the semitransparent-based or glass to glass-based hybrid CPC-PVT-TEG collector integrated with a VAR system (Case 3) is found to be the most suitable.KEYWORDS: Hybrid collectorthermoelectric generatorVARSexergy efficiencycoefficient of performance Abbreviations CPC=Compound parabolic concentratorPVT=Photovoltaic thermalTEG=Thermoelectric generatorVARS=Vapour absorption refrigeration systemCOP=Coefficient of performanceHRR=Heat Rejection ratioEVA=Ethyl vinyl acetateST=Semi transparentNomenclature AAM=CPC aperture area (m2)An=n leg area (m2)Ap=p leg area (m2)ARM=Receiver module area (m2)ATEG=TEG area (m2)b=Receiver breadth (m)bo=Aperture area breadth (m)C=Concentration RatiocF=Fluid (water) specific heat (J/kg K)dx=Elemental length (m)hi=Heat transfer coefficient from insulator to ambient (W/m2K)ho=Convective and radiative heat transfer coefficient from PV top glass to ambient (W/m2K)htf=Heat transfer coefficient from TEG to fluid (W/m2K)F'=Collector efficiency factorITEG=TEG current (A)I(t), IU=Useful solar radiation intensity (W/m2)K=Thermal conductivity (W/mk)L=ThicknessmF=Mass flow rate (kg/s)N=Number of p-n thermocouplesQH=Heat absorption rate of TEG (Wh)QC=Heat rejection rate of TEG (Wh)r=Reflectivity of CPCR=Resistance (Ohm)s=Seebeck coefficient (V/K)Ta=Ambient temperature (K)TC=TEG cold end temperature (K)TH=TEG hot end temperature (K)TF=Fluid temperature (K)TFO=Outlet fluid temperature (K)TO=Reference temperature (K)UB=Overall heat transfer coefficient from insulator to ambient (W/m2K)UBH=Overall heat transfer coefficient from PV module to TEG hot end (W/m2K)UC=Overall heat transfer coefficient from TEG cold end to fluid (W/m2K)UTA=Overall heat transfer coefficient from PV module to ambient (W/m2K)v=Wind velocity (m/s)βo=Solar cell temperature coefficient (K−1)ηo=Solar cell efficiency at STC∆T=Temperature difference (K)Subscripts=Al=AluminiumSC=Solar cellH, C=Hot and cold end of TEGTEG=Thermoelectric generatorTA=Top of PV module to ambientn, p=n and p-type semiconductorBH, T=Tedlar to hot end of TEGBH, Al=Aluminium to hot end of TEGBH, ST=Glass to hot end of TEGHC=Hybrid collectorG=GlassT=TedlarCER=CeramicCu=CopperEVA=Ethyl Vinyl AcetatePV=PV moduleST=Semi-transparentGreek Letters=α=Absorptivityτ=Transmittivityμ=Thomson coefficientη=Efficiencyρ=Resistivityμ=Thomson coefficientβ=Packing factor∆=DifferenceDisclosure statementNo known competing financial interests or personal relationships.Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by GGSIPU (GGSIPU/DRC/FRGS/2022/1223/11, GGSIPU/DRC/Ph.D./2018/1131).Notes on contributorsAbhishek TiwariAbhishek Tiwari is a Ph.D. scholar in the field of Solar Photovoltaic Thermal (SPV/T), Thermoelectric, and