Performance evaluation of direct-contact cooling tower used on thermoelectric module and parabolic trough collector for power generation

Abstract

Thermoelectric has gained attention for its clean energy generation. It has the potential of converting heat from renewable energy into direct current electricity which will replace our dependency on fossil fuels. This paper presents thermoelectric power generation system which consists of cooling tower that provides direct water cooling and solar thermal collector that provides high heat source on thermoelectric modules. Eight (8) thermoelectric modules connected in series with 40mm × 40mm × 3.5mm in size were sandwich between the absorber plate from parabolic trough collector and cooling water inside the square tube. Cooling tower thermal performance was evaluated using SolidWorks Flow Simulation software and experimental validation in steady-state and transient analysis. Experiment results show that the cooling tower has a thermal capability of lowering 100°C heated water to 28°C cold water at 2.51/min. A temperature difference of 97°C across the thermoelectric module was achieved with 28°C maintained on the cold side and 125°C on the hot side. It generated up to 21Watts at 12.7Volts. Thermoelectric technology has a significant potential for renewable and sustainable power generation especially when integrated with cooling towers for medium scale and large scale thermoelectric power generation.