Thermoelectric Generator–Integrated Solar Air Heater: A Compact Passive System

2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumar Venkateshwar ◽  
Abu Raihan Mohammad Siddique ◽  
Syeda Tasnim ◽  
Hari Simha ◽  
Shohel Mahmud

Abstract Solar air heater is a promising, economically viable, and matured technology for space heating and drying applications. One of the primary reasons for the limited usage of a solar air heater in developing countries is the unavailability of continuous electricity supply. Although the solar air heater is theoretically passive, practically electrical energy is required to achieve a steady airflow. Therefore, the unreliability of electricity forces people to rely on firewood for heat during the cold weather, which has severe effects on health and climate change. In the present work, the potential of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) to meet the electrical energy requirement of a solar air heater is studied. Two configurations, each with three different numbers of stages of TEGs, are analyzed. The effect of the integration of TEGs on the thermal performance of solar air heater is analyzed alongside the comparison between the electrical energy required by solar air heaters and electrical energy generated upon the integration of TEGs. A numerical model is developed in matlab and validated using the experimental results. One of the designs meets the electrical energy requirement of the fan in a wide operational range but lowers the process heat generation by approximately 1–6.25%. The electrical energy generated by the other design falls short of demand posed by the system in most operating range. However, the thermal energy generation is marginally higher compared to that of the conventional solar air heater.

2014 ◽  
Vol 663 ◽  
pp. 299-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ubaidillah ◽  
Suyitno ◽  
Imam Ali ◽  
Eko Prasetya Budiana ◽  
Wibawa Endra Juwana

Thermoelectric generator is solid-state device which convert temperature difference, ∆T into electrical energy based on Seebeck effect phenomenon. The device has been widely used in self-powered system applications. This paper focuses on presentation of methodology for characterizing thermoelectric generators. The measurement of its behavior is performed by varying load resistances. A standard module of thermoelectric generator (TEC1-12710) is used in examination and an instrument setup consists of controllable heat source, controllable cooler, personal computer, data logger MCC DAQ USB-1208LS equipped with two sets of K-type thermocouples. The experiment is performed by measuring output voltage and output current in 4 values of temperature gradient by applying 10 values of resistive loads connected to the thermoelectric output wires. The common parameters studied in this research are output voltage, current and power. Generally, the relationship between parameters agrees with the basic theory and the procedure can be adopted for characterizing other type of thermoelectric generator.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
M. Mirmanto ◽  
H.S. Tira ◽  
A. Pabriansyah

The need for energy consumption nowadays becomes very important things, especially the need for electrical energy. Technology to convert heat into electricity directly can be realized using thermoelectric generators. To know the thermoelectric generator performance, this study performs an investigation of thermoelectric generator operated using motorcycle exhaust heat to generate DC power. Three identical thermoelectric generators model TE-MOD-5W5V-35S were used in this investigation. To generate different high temperatures the motorcycle was run at 1600 rpm, 2100 rpm, 3100 rpm. The circuits examined were series, parallel and combination of the two. All data were recorded using DAQ MX 9714 NI data logger that was connected to the PC using LabView program. The loads used in the current measurements were a thermoelectric cooler module model SP1848 and a fan 12 V - 0.13 A. Those two loads were installed in a parallel circuit. The results show that the tests without load produce the highest voltage, while the tests with the load result in the highest power. Increasing the temperature difference increases the power, and the parallel circuit results in the biggest power but the lowest voltage. The highest voltage of 3.3 V with series circuit was attained, and the highest power of 0.133 W with a parallel circuit was also obtained.


2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhananjay Kumar ◽  
Laljee Prasad

Abstract The use of artificial roughness is an efficient and commercial way to appreciate the thermal performance from the collector to the air in solar air heater ducts, for numerous applications such as space-heating, crop-drying, and seasoning of timber industrial purpose. In this paper, the tentative inquiry on thermal enactment using new-fangled of three-sided roughened quadrilateral duct solar air heater having an alignment of multiple-v and transverse wire is performed and compared the outcomes with smooth duct air heater under similar operational circumstances. The modification of an arrangement and operational constraints is inspected within the restrictions, the moral of four-sided duct aspect ratio (W/H) = 8, the Reynolds number occupied from 3000 to 12,000, fraction of pitch to roughness height, P/e in the range of 10–25; ratio of roughness height to hydraulic diameter, e/D in the range of 0.018–0.042; at flow attack angle, α = 60 deg for constant moral of relative roughness width, (W/w) = 6. The augmentation on thermal efficiency in three-sided rugged duct is found to be 23–86% when compared to smooth duct, and the maximum thermal efficiency can occur at P/e = 10 and e/D = 0.042. The enhancement in air temperature flowing under three-sided roughened duct is found to be 49.27% more than that of a smooth duct. The instant innovative form of three-sided roughened solar air warmer would be preferable to those of a smooth solar air heater with respect to heat assignment.


Author(s):  
Fahad Almehmadi ◽  
Kevin Hallinan

Abstract Appropriate greenhouse microclimate control is essential for optimizing plant growth and food production. But, maintenance of a greenhouse microclimate generally requires an excessive amount of energy. According to a report published by Scott Sanford [1], the energy cost for greenhouses is considered the third highest annual cost, behind labor and plant materials. At northern latitudes, heating is the primary energy requirement needed in an agriculture greenhouse, comprising 70 to 80% of a typical greenhouse energy consumption [1]. A reduction of heating energy is necessary to ensure the economic viability of a greenhouse. This research investigates the potential energy savings associated with integrating a solar air heater assisted with a desiccant wheel in an agriculture greenhouse. This study has two main thrusts. The first is to demonstrate the energy effectiveness a solar air heater with a dehumidification system to maintain the internal climate. The second thrust is to develop a multi-linear regression model that can be used to predict the hourly heating requirement. Thereafter, the developed regression model can be used to conduct a parametric analysis to investigate the impact of changing greenhouse parameters on the total heating requirements. A case study has been considered for a greenhouse that is 30 m long and 24 m wide. The climate condition of the city of Dayton, OH was selected for this case. The predicted performance of the integrated system is compared with two other heating systems: electric and gas furnaces. The study reveals that heating energy savings in the proposed system is 51% and 30% when compared with the electric and gas furnaces, respectively. Aside from heating energy savings, the proposed system can be efficiently used to control indoor humidity in a way that ensures better crop yield.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulghani M. Ramadan ◽  
Khairi Muftah ◽  
Abdul-Rahman Al-Naaji ◽  
Abdul-Baset Al-Soul ◽  
Akram A. Essnid ◽  
...  

Solar air heaters are widely used in many low temperature applications such as space heating, crops drying, desalination..etc. It collects solar radiant energy and transforms it into heat through a fluid (air) flowing inside the system. The outside cold air is heated through the system and delivered to the required application. It is simple, economic and clean. In this study, an experimental investigation is carried out using a test-rig installed at the laboratories facility for Center of Solar Energy Research and Studies (CSERS) in Tajoura-Libya equipped with all necessary measuring instruments and devices. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of process air mass flow rate on the thermal performance of a solar air heater working at different operating conditions under the prevailing conditions of Tajoura-Libya. Experiments were conducted on specified days in August 2019, October 2019 and January, 2020.Results show that there is a noticeable increase in the air temperatures of the solar air heater as incident solar radiation values increase during the day time, especially at afternoon. The maximum average outlet air temperature measured reaches 60 oC which is suitable for space heating and crops drying applications. Useful heat energy collected is directly proportional to the incident solar radiation. Increasing air mass flow rates leads to a corresponding decrease in the temperature at different locations in the solar air heater. Furthermore, the average thermal efficiency values of the solar air heater range from 35% to 65%. Average overall heat loss coefficient values tend to decrease with the day time. Finally, the present study results coincide with literature and show a good agreement.


Author(s):  
Bernd Weber ◽  
Jessica A. Fernández Valdespino ◽  
David García ◽  
M. Dolores Durán ◽  
Iván G. Martínez Cienfuegos ◽  
...  

In order to meet global challenges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the implementation of solar systems for residential purposes is an emergent task. Commonly liquid-based solar systems are used to heat up shower and pool water. More recently space heating systems have become part of sustainable buildings. An alternative could be a solar system that uses air as energy carrier. This study analyses the retrofit of such a system into a 40-year-old building. Starting from the analysis of the energy demand of a selected room, a solar air heater was designed, simulated and evaluated experimentally. The solar efficiency of the constructed collector reached 60%.


Author(s):  
Sa'adilah - Rosyadi ◽  
Bayu Rahmat Setiadi ◽  
Joko Slamet Saputro

The prototype of the electric smart stove is an electric stove with briquette fuel from teak leaf waste. The thermoelectric module used is 12 units of a Peltier TEC-12706. Thermoelectric generators take advantage of the Seebeck effect with temperature differences from both sides of the Peltier will produce electrical energy. The developing prototype method of an electric smart stove is carried out in 4 stages. First stage, analyzing geometry requirements and smart stove shape. Second stage is the process making of an electric smart stove. Third stage, installation of a power plant. The fourth stage, measurement of electrical power output. Based on the experiment, it is found that the thermoelectric generator produces 1.31 volts of electrical energy with a delta T of 40 degrees Celsius. As the result, an electric smart stove has not been able to charge the battery because the electric energy produced tends to be small.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 1609-1617
Author(s):  
Zuryati Djafar ◽  
Andi Zahirah Salsabila ◽  
Wahyu H. Piarah

Solar energy can be converted into electrical energy using photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric generators (TEG). In order to increase the effectiveness of energy absorption, a hot mirror or cold mirror spectrum separator is used. In this study, a simulation was carried out to see the effect of the cold mirror and hot mirror spectrum separator on the performance of the PV-TEG hybrid. Simulations are carried out using the LabVIEW program. The standard for the solar radiation spectrum used is AM1.5D. The incoming radiation is transmitted using a Fresnel lens to make it more focused and then transmitted to a cold mirror or hot mirror, where the spectral irradiance will be halved. Spectral irradiance with a wavelength of 400-690 nm will be directed to PV and a wavelength of 710-1150 nm will be directed to TEG. From the PV-TEG hybrid modeling and simulation using the LabVIEW program, the resulting power and efficiency are 240.635 W/m2 and 27% respectively for cold mirror and 228.835 W/m2 and 25.76% for hot mirror.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Patel ◽  
Manmohan Singh

As the world is changing and developing with every passing day, the requirements of power are also increasing. There is a shift in utilizing the electrical energy as much as possible and for this reason, many countries have already made policies for completely ruling out the machines which don’t run on electricity. Apart from electricity, there are other forms of energy that can be used to convert that form into a more desirable form. For example, in a plant where the smoke comes out of the chimneys or in a car, the smoke carries a large amount of thermal energy with it. This energy is nothing but a waste and reduction in the efficiency of the systems. If somehow, this energy could be recovered, the efficiency can be increased. Thermoelectric generators serve for this purpose. Thermos electric generators get the heat and using the principle of heat conduction and p and n type materials, the heat can be directly converted into the electricity. There are many materials available in the market for p and n type but in our case, we chose silicon germanium which is also one of the most commonly used. First of all, a single module of thermoelectric generator will be made using p and n type material, as well as using conductive material and some ceramic substance. Then, the entire assembly will be made and this assembly will be exported to Ansys where custom materials will be added and applied on to the geometry. After performing analysis on full model, a comparative study will be presented in which the effect of material of conductive plate on to the voltage difference will be studied


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