Numerical investigation of a new hybrid system, integrating parabolic trough concentrator with a cylindrical thermoelectric generator

Nowadays, exploitation and production of maximum energy from the solar spectrum is a major concern. In the present paper, a numerical study of a new hybrid system consisting of a parabolic trough concentrator coupled with a cylindrical thermoelectric generator is performed using the Gauss-Seidel iterative method. A realistic climatic condition is used regarding direct sunlight and ambient temperature. The effects of thermoelectric generator thickness together with hot and cold flow on the electrical and thermal performance are analyzed and discussed. In order to validate the results of the numerical model, a new validation method has been used. The obtained results show a good agreement with the exact results. Furthermore, for a cold mass flow rate of 0.25 kg/s, the maximum thermal efficiency is attained at 60.646%, along with an electrical efficiency of 9.72% corresponding to 273.15 W in addition to power output.