A Numerical Model to Compute Heat Loss in the Focal Receiver of a Solar Parabolic Dish Thermoelectric Generator

Abstract

This article presents a numerical model to compute the heat loss for a flat focal receiver of a solar dish collector to drive the thermoelectric generator. The focal receiver is embedded by flat thermoelectric modules with the absorber plate and it is enclosed in a glass cover. The steady state energy equations for the focal receiver are developed with standard assumptions. The heat loss from the receiver is estimated by an iterative method using the computer program. It is noticed that the convective heat transfer coefficient between plate and cover varies with spacing distance between the absorber plate and the glass cover. The receiver efficiency along with the glass cover temperature variation over the spacing of the plate is also noticed. The spacing distance between the absorber plate and the glass cover is suggested to be between 0.04 to 0.05 m for the focal receiver area of 0.1 m².

Keywords:

• absorber plate
• glass cover
• heat loss
• overall heat loss coefficient
• thermoelectric generator