TY - JOUR TI - Numerical simulation and experimenal realization of a thermosyphon based hybrid solar thermoelectric power generator DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T31C2073 PY - 2016 AB - Thermosyphons are highly efficient systems for converting sunlight into heat and transferring heat to provide hot water. Thermoelectric (TE) power generators are proposed recently as a topping cycle incorporated in series with thermosyphons. In this work, we propose a new design, which places TE power generators thermally in parallel with thermosyphon-based solar water-heating systems. The solar heat is radiated on the collector (evaporator) zone and transferred through the copper pipe into two parallel channels: a phase-change liquid that acts as the heat transfer medium for the water heating set-up and the thermoelectric module used to generate electricity. We performed both numerical simulation and experimental realization of the proposed setup. Experimental validation of the model from a home-made prototype and parallel system optimization are completed. This study opens up a promising possibility to efficiently convert solar energy to useful thermal and electrical energy. KW - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering KW - Thermal electromotive force KW - Thermoelectricity KW - Solar energy LA - eng ER -