Thesis-1997-Omer.pdf (22.18 MB)
Solar thermoelectric system for small scale power generation
thesis
posted on 2010-12-01, 10:15 authored by Siddig Adam OmerThis thesis is concerned with the design and evaluation of a small scale solarthermoelectric
power generation system. The system is intended for electricity
generation and thermal energy supply to small scale applications in developing
countries of the sunny equatorial regions. Detailed design methodologies and
evaluations of both the thermoelectric device and the solar energy collector, which
are parts of the combined system, are presented.
In addition to experimental evaluations, three theoretical models are presented which
allow the design and evaluation of both the thermoelectric module and the solar
energy collector. One of the models (a unified thermoelectric device model) concerns
the geometrical optimization and performance prediction of a thermoelectric module
in power generation mode. The model is unified in the sense that it accounts for the
effect of all the parameters that contribute to the performance of the thermoelectric
module, a number of which are ignored by the available design models. The unified
model is used for a comparative evaluation of five thermoelectric modules. One of
these is commercially available and the others are assumed to have optimum
geometry but with different design parameters (thermal and electrical contact layer
properties). The model has been validated using data from an experimental
investigation undertaken to evaluate the commercial thermoelectric module in power
generation mode. Results showed that though the commercially available
thermoelectric cooling devices can be used for electricity generation, it is appropriate
to have modules optimized specifically for power generation, and to improve the
contact layers of thermoelement accordingly. Attempts have also been made to
produce and evaluate thermoelectric materials using a simple melt-qucnching
technique which produces materials with properties similar to those of the more
expensive crystalline materials.
History
School
- Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering
Publisher
© Siddig A. OmerPublication date
1997Notes
A Doctoral Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University.EThOS Persistent ID
uk.bl.ethos.362680Language
- en