Efficient low-grade waste heat recovery from concentrated photovoltaic cells through a thermolytic pressure retarded osmosis heat engine

Lu Yan, Yuewu Huang and Wenchao Sun

Energy, 2024, vol. 308, issue C

Abstract: Triggered by the pressing need to enhance the power conversion efficiency of photovoltaic systems, this work introduces a novel hybrid system that combines a concentrated photovoltaic cell (CPV) with a thermolytic pressure retarded osmosis heat engine (PRO). This innovative integration allows for the efficient recovery and conversion of waste heat from CPV into additional electricity, addressing the challenge of high-output dependence on lower operating temperatures. A detailed theoretical model of the system is developed to ultimately derive and analyze the mathematical expressions for key performance indicators. Numerical analysis confirms that the novel system achieves a maximum power density, energy efficiency, and exergy efficiency of 239.28 W m−2, 13.9 %, and 14.6 %, respectively, which are improved by 13.06 % over a sole concentrated photovoltaic cell. Comprehensive sensitivity analysis is conducted to obtain optimal selection criteria for crucial parameters including inlet concentration, concentration ratio, operating temperature, and diode ideality factor, which have a significant impact on overall performance. Comparative analysis shows that the CPV-PRO system outperforms existing CPV hybrids in terms of lower operational temperatures and enhanced economic viability, making it a superior choice for sustainable energy production.

Keywords: Concentrated photovoltaic cell; Pressure retarded osmosis; Low-grade heat; Integration system; Parametric study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:308:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224025659

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.132791

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