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C4: Generators

Experimental Study of Electrical Power Production Using Low Grade Heat from Salinity Gradient Solar Pond with Thermoelectric Generators

Baljit Singh1, 2, Ashwin Date, Abhijit Date1, Aliakbar Akbarzadeh1
Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Group, School of Aerospace, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Engineering, RMIT University, P.O. Box 71, Bundoora East Campus, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia

This paper presents the experimental investigation of power generation from solar pond. A heat exchanger with 16 thermoelectric generators was used to generate electrical power from the heat reserve of a solar pond. The heat exchanger was tested using different hot and cold water temperature. These temperatures were identical with the temperature available for the hot and cold water of the solar pond. The proposed system can be used on a 24 hours basis because solar energy can be stored in a solar pond within the thermal storage zone for a long period of time with minimum losses. Heat stored in the solar pond is retained overnight as the convection heat loss is suppressed in a solar pond. The system was able to generate 8.17W of electrical power with bulk fluid temperature difference of 800C at steady state. In remote areas, the proposed system can be used as an environmental friendly and sustainable alternative to other solar energy based power generation.