Solar Energy Conversion Systems Thermal Management Applying Constructal Theory: A Comparative Analysis

This paper analyses the impact on the performance of a Solar Thermoelectric Generator coupled with a Latent Heat Storage and Cooling System (STEG + LHSCS) by applying the constructal theory in designing a copper heat sink embedded in the LHSCS. The performance of the STEG + LHSCS system follows the capacity of the copper heat sink to efficiently transfer the waste heat of the STEG system to the LHSCS, to store this remanent heat and maintain a temperature difference between the thermoelectric generator (TEG) included in the STEG. It is observed that the application of the constructal theory in the design of the copper heat sink does not have a significant impact on the performance of the STEG + LHSCS system, showing a reduction in the TEG electricity generation, if it is compared with the design of the copper heat sink which includes radial fins. The model presented in this paper will be adapted to study the performance of the STEG + LHSCS in various geographical locations and to study other variations of the application of constructal theory in latent heat storage systems.