Design, manufacture, and test of a hybrid solar PV-T thermoelectric distillation system

Bahr, Ali 2024. Design, manufacture, and test of a hybrid solar PV-T thermoelectric distillation system. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This thesis investigates the development and performance of a hybrid solar photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PV-T) distillation system designed to improve freshwater production efficiency. The study addresses global water scarcity by utilizing renewable energy to drive a distillation process. The primary goal is to create a system that integrates photovoltaic panels for electricity generation and thermoelectric modules for heating and cooling, augmented by direct solar heating. The research involves a detailed literature review of desalination technologies, thermoelectric devices, and hydrophobic surfaces, followed by experimental analysis of water and condenser temperatures on evaporation and condensation rates. A prototype hybrid PV-T distillation system was designed, built, and tested, revealing significant insights into its thermal behavior and performance under different configurations. The system reached a steady state after 5 hours, with various components showing stable temperature profiles. When using only the thermoelectric module, water temperature increased by 5.6°C (from 18.3°C to 23.9°C). Using both the thermoelectric module and PV-T panel, the water temperature rose by 31.5°C (from 18°C to 49°C). The most effective configuration, which included a submerged black absorber, increased the water temperature by 37.9°C (from 18.8°C to 56.7°C). In terms of water production rates, the thermoelectric-only setup produced 14.78 grams of water in 5 hours. The PV-T and thermoelectric setup produced 37.5 grams, while the combined PV-T, thermoelectric, and black absorber setup yielded 84.1 grams of water, showcasing the highest efficiency. Introducing a fan to cool the glass cover increased water productivity by approximately 33.65%. This cooling enhanced water production from the glass by Abstract Ali Bahr 2024 Page iii 141%, despite a 30% reduction in production by the aluminum condenser, resulting in a net positive effect.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Engineering
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1). Thermoelectric Distillation 2). Solar Distillation 3). Desalination 4). Hydrophobic surfaces 5). Sustainable water production
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	6 January 2025
Last Modified:	06 Jan 2025 15:01
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/175028

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