IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v169y2019icp172-185.html

Experimental investigation on effects of thermal resistances on a photovoltaic-thermoelectric system integrated with phase change materials

Author

Listed:
  • Yin, Ershuai
  • Li, Qiang
  • Li, Dianhong
  • Xuan, Yimin

Abstract

Phase change materials have been introduced into the concentrated photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system to control its operating temperature. As the poor thermal conductivity of phase change materials (paraffin in this paper), the expanded graphite and copper foam are respectively added into the paraffin to decrease its thermal resistance. An experimental platform containing three concentrated photovoltaic-phase change material-thermoelectric hybrid subsystems is established. Experimental comparisons of performances among the concentrated photovoltaic system, the conventional concentrated photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system, and the concentrated photovoltaic-phase change material-thermoelectric hybrid system are firstly carried out. Then, a series of comparative experiments are conducted to reveal the effects of thermal resistances on the hybrid system performance. The results demonstrate that the improved phase change material can well maintain the photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system at the desired temperature and generate more electricity. The temperature of the photovoltaic cell in the concentrated photovoltaic-phase change material-thermoelectric hybrid system is nearly 50 °C while the one in the concentrated photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system reaches about 80 °C. The average output power of the concentrated photovoltaic-phase change material-thermoelectric hybrid system increases by 23.52% compared with the concentrated photovoltaic-thermoelectric coupling system. The expanded graphite and copper foam both can decrease the thermal resistance of paraffin, and the expanded graphite has a better effect. The thermal resistance of the cooling system has little effect on the operating conditions of the photovoltaic cell and phase change material but greatly affects the performance of the thermoelectric generator.

Suggested Citation

  • Yin, Ershuai & Li, Qiang & Li, Dianhong & Xuan, Yimin, 2019. "Experimental investigation on effects of thermal resistances on a photovoltaic-thermoelectric system integrated with phase change materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 172-185.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:169:y:2019:i:c:p:172-185
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.12.035
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544218324010
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2018.12.035?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhang, Jin & Xuan, Yimin & Yang, Lili, 2014. "Performance estimation of photovoltaic–thermoelectric hybrid systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 895-903.
    2. Yang, Jialin & Yang, Lijun & Xu, Chao & Du, Xiaoze, 2016. "Experimental study on enhancement of thermal energy storage with phase-change material," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 164-176.
    3. Zhang, Zhengguo & Zhang, Ni & Peng, Jing & Fang, Xiaoming & Gao, Xuenong & Fang, Yutang, 2012. "Preparation and thermal energy storage properties of paraffin/expanded graphite composite phase change material," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 91(1), pages 426-431.
    4. Wang, Changhong & Lin, Tao & Li, Na & Zheng, Huanpei, 2016. "Heat transfer enhancement of phase change composite material: Copper foam/paraffin," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA), pages 960-965.
    5. Cui, Tengfei & Xuan, Yimin & Yin, Ershuai & Li, Qiang & Li, Dianhong, 2017. "Experimental investigation on potential of a concentrated photovoltaic-thermoelectric system with phase change materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 94-102.
    6. Zhang, Jin & Xuan, Yimin, 2017. "Performance improvement of a photovoltaic - Thermoelectric hybrid system subjecting to fluctuant solar radiation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1551-1558.
    7. Huen, Priscilla & Daoud, Walid A., 2017. "Advances in hybrid solar photovoltaic and thermoelectric generators," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 1295-1302.
    8. Da, Yun & Xuan, Yimin & Li, Qiang, 2016. "From light trapping to solar energy utilization: A novel photovoltaic–thermoelectric hybrid system to fully utilize solar spectrum," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 200-210.
    9. Hashim, H. & Bomphrey, J.J. & Min, G., 2016. "Model for geometry optimisation of thermoelectric devices in a hybrid PV/TE system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(P1), pages 458-463.
    10. He, Wei & Zhang, Gan & Zhang, Xingxing & Ji, Jie & Li, Guiqiang & Zhao, Xudong, 2015. "Recent development and application of thermoelectric generator and cooler," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1-25.
    11. Rezania, A. & Rosendahl, L.A., 2017. "Feasibility and parametric evaluation of hybrid concentrated photovoltaic-thermoelectric system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 380-389.
    12. Zhang, P. & Meng, Z.N. & Zhu, H. & Wang, Y.L. & Peng, S.P., 2017. "Melting heat transfer characteristics of a composite phase change material fabricated by paraffin and metal foam," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1971-1983.
    13. Zhao, Jianguo & Guo, Yong & Feng, Feng & Tong, Qinghua & Qv, Wenshan & Wang, Haiqing, 2011. "Microstructure and thermal properties of a paraffin/expanded graphite phase-change composite for thermal storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 1339-1342.
    14. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Liao, Chen-Yeh & Hung, Chen-I & Huang, Wei-Lun, 2012. "Experimental study on thermoelectric modules for power generation at various operating conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 874-881.
    15. Mohsenzadeh, Milad & Shafii, M.B. & Jafari mosleh, H., 2017. "A novel concentrating photovoltaic/thermal solar system combined with thermoelectric module in an integrated design," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 822-834.
    16. Zhu, Wei & Deng, Yuan & Wang, Yao & Shen, Shengfei & Gulfam, Raza, 2016. "High-performance photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid power generation system with optimized thermal management," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 91-101.
    17. Li, Wenqiang & Wan, Hao & Lou, Haijian & Fu, Yuliang & Qin, Fei & He, Guoqiang, 2017. "Enhanced thermal management with microencapsulated phase change material particles infiltrated in cellular metal foam," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 671-679.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Shittu, Samson & Li, Guiqiang & Akhlaghi, Yousef Golizadeh & Ma, Xiaoli & Zhao, Xudong & Ayodele, Emmanuel, 2019. "Advancements in thermoelectric generators for enhanced hybrid photovoltaic system performance," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 24-54.
    2. Moshwan, Raza & Shi, Xiao-Lei & Zhang, Min & Yue, Yicheng & Liu, Wei-Di & Li, Meng & Wang, Lijun & Liang, Daniel & Chen, Zhi-Gang, 2025. "Advances and challenges in hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric systems for renewable energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 380(C).
    3. Li, Guiqiang & Shittu, Samson & Diallo, Thierno M.O. & Yu, Min & Zhao, Xudong & Ji, Jie, 2018. "A review of solar photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system for electricity generation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 41-58.
    4. Yin, Ershuai & Li, Qiang & Xuan, Yimin, 2018. "A novel optimal design method for concentration spectrum splitting photovoltaic–thermoelectric hybrid system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 519-532.
    5. Gulfam, Raza & Zhang, Peng & Meng, Zhaonan, 2019. "Advanced thermal systems driven by paraffin-based phase change materials – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 582-611.
    6. Zhang, Heng & Yue, Han & Huang, Jiguang & Liang, Kai & Chen, Haiping, 2021. "Experimental studies on a low concentrating photovoltaic/thermal (LCPV/T) collector with a thermoelectric generator (TEG) module," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 1026-1040.
    7. Alaaeddin, M.H. & Sapuan, S.M. & Zuhri, M.Y.M. & Zainudin, E.S. & AL- Oqla, Faris M., 2019. "Photovoltaic applications: Status and manufacturing prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 318-332.
    8. He, Y. & Tao, Y.B. & Ye, H., 2023. "Periodic energy transmission and regulation of photovoltaic-phase change material-thermoelectric coupled system under space conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PC).
    9. Yin, Ershuai & Li, Qiang & Xuan, Yimin, 2018. "Optimal design method for concentrating photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 320-329.
    10. Contento, Gaetano & Lorenzi, Bruno & Rizzo, Antonella & Narducci, Dario, 2017. "Efficiency enhancement of a-Si and CZTS solar cells using different thermoelectric hybridization strategies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 230-238.
    11. Zhang, Jin & Xuan, Yimin, 2019. "The electric feature synergy in the photovoltaic - Thermoelectric hybrid system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 387-394.
    12. Saini, Prashant & Osorio, Julian D., 2025. "Review on phase change materials and thermoelectric generators for ocean thermal gradient applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    13. Shittu, Samson & Li, Guiqiang & Zhao, Xudong & Ma, Xiaoli, 2019. "Series of detail comparison and optimization of thermoelectric element geometry considering the PV effect," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 930-942.
    14. GaneshKumar, Poongavanam & Praveen Kumar, G. & Sivalingam, Vinothkumar & Divya, S. & Oh, Tae Hwan, 2025. "Revolutionizing microelectronics cooling: Thermal management with nano-enhanced PCMs, hybrid cooling, conductive foams, and porous structures," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    15. Liu, Yang & Zheng, Ruowei & Li, Ji, 2022. "High latent heat phase change materials (PCMs) with low melting temperature for thermal management and storage of electronic devices and power batteries: Critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    16. Yin, Ershuai & Li, Qiang & Xuan, Yimin, 2019. "Feasibility analysis of a concentrating photovoltaic-thermoelectric-thermal cogeneration," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C), pages 560-573.
    17. Yin, Ershuai & Li, Qiang & Xuan, Yimin, 2018. "One-day performance evaluation of photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 337-346.
    18. Zhang, Jin & Xuan, Yimin, 2017. "Performance improvement of a photovoltaic - Thermoelectric hybrid system subjecting to fluctuant solar radiation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1551-1558.
    19. Mahmoudinezhad, S. & Cotfas, D.T. & Cotfas, P.A. & Skjølstrup, Enok J.H. & Pedersen, K. & Rosendahl, L. & Rezania, A., 2022. "Experimental investigation on spectrum beam splitting photovoltaic–thermoelectric generator under moderate solar concentrations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PC).
    20. Li, Dianhong & Xuan, Yimin & Yin, Ershuai & Li, Qiang, 2018. "Conversion efficiency gain for concentrated triple-junction solar cell system through thermal management," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 960-968.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:169:y:2019:i:c:p:172-185. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.