A novel photovoltaic/thermoelectric collector combined with a dual - Evaporator vapor compression system

This study evaluated a dual-evaporator refrigeration system using photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PVTE) solar collector theoretically and experimentally in the weather conditions of Sanandaj city, Iran in three different modes, including one-evaporator compression refrigeration system without photovoltaic (PV) collector, dual-evaporator compression cooling system coupled in series with PVTE-air system, and compression cooling system with PVTE-evaporator in July 2016 from 8:00 am to 18:00 pm. The PVTE mode was tested generally with 22 thermoelectric modules, 11 of which were arranged in series and 11 in parallel. The results showed the coefficient of performance (COP) and consumption power of compressor in one-evaporator compression cooling system and hybrid dual-evaporator compression cooling system with PVTE collector were 3.69, 3.754 and 1.353 kW, 1.332 kW, respectively, indicating the positive effect of PVTE evaporator on the coefficient of performance and consumption power of compressor. Moreover, the findings indicated that for PVTE air and evaporator, the maximal electrical efficiency and power generation for a thermoelectric module were 0.038, 0.063 W and 0.063, 1.12 W, respectively at mean solar radiation intensity of 1004 W/m2, and electrical power generation rates of PV collector at this point for the two modes were obtained to be 0.11 W and 0.119 W, respectively. These values indicate the positive effect of thermoelectric modules on the refrigeration and increased electrical efficiency of the collector.