Analysis of a hybrid solar absorption cooling system with thermoelectric generator

In the present work, a hybrid solar/thermoelectric generator (TEG)/absorption cooling system (ACS) is studied. The heat supply to the ACS is produced by an evacuated tube solar collector (ETC). The TEG will use the waste heat from hot parts to produce the electrical demand of the ACS (the pumping and control systems). In this way, the system becomes completely self-sufficient. Different locations of the TEG modules in the system were considered and the effect of various system parameters on the system performance was studied. The results showed that the best location for the TEG modules was between the hot water storage tank and the ambient air. For a temperature at the generator, evaporator, and condenser (=T-absorber) equal to 85 degrees C, 5 degrees C, and 30 degrees C respectively, it was found that 184 TEG modules were sufficient to provide the required electrical power with a COP and exergetic efficiency equal to 0.8 and 14.9%, respectively. In addition, it was also shown that the COP of the ACS system with TEG modules is always slightly higher than that without them by about 1.5%.

Automated summary

This paper investigates a hybrid solar/thermoelectric generator/absorption cooling system, where waste heat is used to meet the electrical demand of the cooling system, achieving self-sufficiency. The study finds that the optimal location for the TEG modules is between the hot water storage tank and the ambient air.