Date of Award

Fall 1981

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Program/Concentration

Mechanical Engineering

Committee Director

A. Sidney Roberts, Jr.

Committee Member

Robert L. Ash

Committee Member

C. Subba Reddy

Call Number for Print

Special Collections; LD4331.E56 S43

Abstract

A conventional flat-plate collector is modified by imbedding thermoelectric power generators between the absorber plate and flow tubes in parallel finned-tube passes. As solar energy cascades through these generators a temperature differential between the hot and cold junctions of the device produces direct current electricity. Energy not converted to electric power is converted away for use in domestic space and/or water heating.

A parametric study is performed on the steady-state model via computer program in order to find values of design variables that maximize electric power production for purposes of driving pumps, fans, and ·controlling devices. The results of this study ~how that, although less than l percent of the total solar energy impinging on the absorber plate is converted to electric power, enough direct current is produced to drive a pump that could circulate the heat transfer fluid.

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DOI

10.25777/4pzr-ag93

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