Geometry Optimization of PV/T-TEG Collector under Different Operating Conditions Using CFD Simulation and Taguchi Method

Abstract

PV panel connected within both fins and TEG that is well known as a PV/T-TEG system. The system increases the electrical efficiency affected by the thermal collector and contributes to additional electricity due to the temperature difference of the TEG sides. However, optimizing the thermal performance of the system involved the geometry parameters and operating conditions, it still requires many combinations of factors and levels. In the present study, Taguchi Method with five factors, three levels, and two responses is then implemented to reduce the number of combinations which are related to fin geometry, air mass flow rate and solar irradiation under different operating conditions. Air as a working fluid is applied with the inlet fluid temperature based on the tropical climate in Indonesia. The two responses are needed to be lower in temperature of the PV panel and higher in temperature difference of TEG sides respectively. Furthermore, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method is applied as an approach to generate the responses numerically. The results revealed that the combinations of the geometric parameters and operating conditions for achieving the optimal PV temperature are found to be the full fin arrangement, fin height of 75 mm, fin thickness of 3 mm, and air mass flow of 0.08 kg/s and heat absorbed of 400 W/m². Thus, the combinations to obtain the optimal TEG temperature difference are staggered fin arrangement, fin height of 25 mm, fin thickness of 1 mm, the mass flow of 0.08 kg/s and heat absorbed of 800 W/m². Additionally, the heat absorbed factor has the biggest impact on PV temperature change with the contribution of 47.57% of the total five factors. Meanwhile, fin arrangement is the factor that has the biggest impact on the temperature difference of TEG sides with a contribution of 33.31%.