Comparison of the Efficiency of Autonomous Water Release Systems Based on Photovoltaic and Photothermal Batteries

Abstract

This study considers the process of accumulating electrical energy in autonomous mobile photothermal water-release devices (AMPTWDs) and autonomous mobile photovoltaic water-release devices (AMPVWDs). These devices are based on photovoltaic (PVB) and photothermal batteries (PTB), and their performance is examined in relation to variations in battery charge and device efficiency. The study investigates the operating time of PVB and PTB water-release systems with power outputs of 150 and 300 W, respectively. These systems are equipped with acid batteries (ABs) having an electrical capacity of 100 A h. Additionally, the study analyzes the AB charging process and water release efficiency. The experiment took place in June 2022 in the settlement of Beshbulok, situated in the Dehkanabad district of the Kashkadarya region at a geographical latitude of 38°20′51″. Prior to the experiment, the AB was charged to 100% over a 12-h period using a special charging device, and the voltage was adjusted to 12.7 V. The efficiency analysis of PTB and PVB-based water-release systems revealed that the AMPTWD based on PTBs generates 1.62 times more water than the AMPVWD based on PVBs. Furthermore, by using two gel ABs with a capacity of 100 A h each instead of the ABs installed in the AMPTWD based on 300 W PTBs, an additional 750 W of power was generated, independent of the power required for water release. It was determined that the water pump used in this experiment or other household devices with similar power demands could be supplied with energy for a duration of 3 h.