Evaluation of Solar Air Collector-Thermoelectric Hybrid System

Win Eng Ewe; Ahmad Fudholi; Kamaruzzaman Sopian; Nilofar Asim

Authors

Win Eng Ewe Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Level G, Research Complex, The National University of Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Ahmad Fudholi Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Level G, Research Complex, The National University of Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Kamaruzzaman Sopian Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Level G, Research Complex, The National University of Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Nilofar Asim Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Level G, Research Complex, The National University of Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Keywords:

solar collector, thermo-electric generator, hybrid system

Abstract

Solar energy is the most long-lasting, free, clean and renewable energy which cause zero-pollution to the environment. Recently, it has become a popular topic for the scientists to replace the fossil fuels as the primary sources of energy generation. To maximize the usage of solar energy, solar-thermoelectric air hybrid collector system is created and constructed, with size of 0.98m ×0.59m ×0.12m. The purpose of the combination of solar collector and thermoelectric is to collect hot air for drying purpose and generate electricity. The experiment is carried out in a laboratory with the usage of solar simulator, in which the solar intensity is fixed at 700 W/m2. The key factor which manipulating the experiment is the mass flow rate if the air flow through the hybrid system, which is set at 0.0333kg/s, 0.0385kg/s, 0.044kg/s, 0.0495kg/s, 0.055kg/s. The experiment investigation with the effect of different mass flow rate on the overall efficiency of the solar-thermoelectric air collector system is presented.