Transient and non-uniform heat flux effect on solar thermoelectric generator with phase change material

Shittu, Samson; Li, Guiqiang; Xuan, Qindong; Xiao, Xin; Zhao, Xudong; Ma, Xiaoli; Akhlaghi, Yousef Golizadeh

Abstract

Transient and non-uniform heat flux from solar concentrators can affect the performance of solar thermoelectric generators, which generate electricity from concentrated solar radiation. Therefore, this paper presents a detailed three-dimensional study on the effect of transient and non-uniform heat flux on the performance of a solar thermoelectric generator (STEG). COMSOL 5.4 Multiphysics software is utilized for the numerical study while the non-uniform heat flux from a compound parabolic concentrator is obtained through ray tracing simulation using Lighttools software. Varying solar radiation under typical partly cloudy weather condition is utilized. Furthermore, phase change material (PCM) is used to reduce the effect of transient and non-uniform heat flux therefore; it is positioned at the top surface of the solar thermoelectric generator. A comparison between the performance of the STEG with and without PCM is presented, and a parametric study on the effect of PCM fins and PCM height on the STEG performance is carried out. Results show that the place of PCM on the top surface of the solar thermoelectric generator is an effective approach to provide a stable electrical performance form the STEG under varying weather conditions. Furthermore, results reveal the effectiveness of the phase change material in protecting the solar thermoelectric generator under highly concentrated solar radiation. This study will provide valuable design guidance for solar thermoelectric generators under varying weather conditions and with solar concentrators, which produce non-uniform heat flux.

Citation

Shittu, S., Li, G., Xuan, Q., Xiao, X., Zhao, X., Ma, X., & Akhlaghi, Y. G. (2020). Transient and non-uniform heat flux effect on solar thermoelectric generator with phase change material. Applied thermal engineering, 173, Article 115206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115206

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 14, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Mar 16, 2020
• Publication Date: Jun 5, 2020
• Deposit Date: Mar 20, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 17, 2021
• Journal: Applied Thermal Engineering
• Print ISSN: 1359-4311
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 173
• Article Number: 115206
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115206
• Keywords: Solar thermoelectric generator; Non-uniform heat flux; PCM; Finite element method; Transient study
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3475771
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359431119371364