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Performance analysis on a novel micro‐channel heat pipe evacuated tube solar collector‐incorporated thermoelectric generation
Author(s) -
Li Guiqiang,
Ji Jie,
Zhang Gan,
He Wei,
Chen Xiao,
Chen Hongbing
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.3589
Subject(s) - exergy , thermoelectric effect , heat pipe , thermoelectric generator , thermosiphon , mechanical engineering , thermoelectric cooling , heat transfer , engineering , nuclear engineering , electricity , photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector , process engineering , solar energy , environmental science , electrical engineering , heat exchanger , mechanics , thermodynamics , physics
Summary In China, because of the emergence of a large number of high‐rise buildings, the solar hot water heater system often uses the balcony wall‐mounted method for installation. The thermoelectric energy converter is proposed as one of the possible technologies to incorporate solar water heater to produce electricity for building application. In this paper, the conceptual development and theoretical analysis of a novel micro‐channel heat pipe evacuated tube solar collector‐incorporated thermoelectric generation are all proposed. The new system takes into account many advantages, including the high heat transfer, low convective heat loss, and low contact thermal resistance. The exergy analysis method based on the second law of thermodynamics is also introduced to evaluate the performance of this system. The results show that a novel micro‐channel heat pipe evacuated tube solar collector‐incorporated thermoelectric generation has a high thermal performance with addition of electricity production. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.