https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8326-3473
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ABSTRACT
Different intermediate steps exist between solar energy as input and hydrogen as output. Most of the findings in this domain revolved around water electrolysis as an intermediate step to produce hydrogen. Therefore, the discussion in the work is intended to discuss water-splitting-based hydrogen production through electrolysis. The electrolysis process requires continuous electrical input. Installed solar PV is inevitably supposed to be under prolonged solar irradiance. The prolonged solar incidence causes the panel to get heated, leading to lower overall performance. Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs) convert the waste heat into additional electrical energy apart from the panel. In the experimentation of the work, the effect of temperature gradient is explored. During the implementation of PV-TEG, TEG electrical output can be improved with the help of auxiliary heat dissipators. This study includes graphite as a heat dissipator and a Hofmann voltameter for hydrogen production. Under 800 W/m2 of solar irradiation, the maximum hydrogen yield is obtained when PV-TEG (with graphite sheet) is connected to the Hofmann voltameter. The yield ranges from 0.132 bar/sec to 0.137 bar/sec.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Highlights
Solar power system regarding water electrolysis using Hofmann voltameter.
Investigating hydrogen production using samples of seawater with input as DC voltage.
Variation in net DC output between PV alone and PV-TEG.
PV-TEG-Graphite sheet can produce higher hydrogen production from seawater.
List of symbols and abbreviations
| DC | = | Direct current |
| EMI | = | Electromagnetic interference |
| η1 | = | Efficiency of solar panel |
| Peo | = | Electrical output |
| Psi | = | Solar input |
| ƞTEG | = | Efficiency of TEG |
| Imp | = | Max power operating current |
| Vmp | = | Max power operating voltage. |
| T | = | Temperature in K |
| ρ | = | Electrical resistivity in Ω-m |
| PV | = | Photovoltaic |
| Eh | = | Calorific value of obtained hydrogen |
| Ein | = | Product of the voltage and current values at the Hofmann Voltameter’s electrode |
| α | = | See back coefficient |
| K | = | Thermal conductivity |
| TEG | = | Thermo-Electric Generator |
| TC | = | Temperature on the cold side |
| TH | = | Temperature on the hot side |
| TDS | = | Total Dissolved Solids |
Acknowledgements
The authors thank VIT for providing ‘VIT SEED GRANT (SG20210085)’ for carrying out this research work.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
M. Gopinath
Mr. M. Gopinath completed his B.E in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Crescent Engineering College, Tamil Nadu, India in the year 2009 and M.E from, Arunai Engineering College, Tamil Nadu, India in the year 2014. Currently, he is pursuing PhD at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore campus, Tamil Nadu, India. He has more than 8 years of work experience in different job profiles: Production department in Industry, Maintenance Engineer in hospital, Assistant Professor in Educational Institutions, and presently in research. Keen researcher in the domains of PV, Thermoelectric generators (TEG), and Green Hydrogen Production through water splitting.
Natarajan Muthuswamy
Dr. Natarajan Muthuswamy, currently working as Associate Professor Senior, in Department of Thermal and Energy Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India since 2009 onwards. completed his Doctoral degree in Solar Thermal Power Engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India in 2017. He research area is Design and Development of Power Free Tracking Mechanism for Multi Reflector Compound Parabolic Trough collector(MRCPC). He secured Master Degree in Thermal Turbomachines from Indian Institute of Technology- Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, in 2007. He has more 25 years of Teaching experience, and 10 years of Industrial experience immediate after his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, from Muthiah Polytechnic, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, in 1987. He has published around 21 research papers in peer reviewed journals, 10 conference papers, 5 book chapters, and published 4 national patents.
R. Marimuthu
Dr. R. Marimuthu received his B.Tech degree in Electronics and Instrumentation from Kongu Engineering College (affiliated to Bharathiyar University),Erode, Tamil Nadu, India in 2003, M.Tech degree in Applied Electronics from Kumaraguru College of Technology (affiliated to Anna University), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India in 2007 and PhD degree in VLSI from Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India in 2018. He is currently working as Associate Professor at the Department of Instrumentation, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India. His areas of expertise are Low Power VLSI, Embedded Systems, Renewable Sources and Hydrogen Generation.