Thermodynamics of the conversion of diluted radiation (original) (raw)
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Abstract
The thermodynamically permitted efficiencies of solar energy conversion are estimated for conversion into work of direct and of diffuse radiation, and of a combination of the two. An 'effective temperature' is introduced into the analysis, the equality of which for the sink and all pumps defines in part an effective equilibrium, a condition which implies that no work can be extracted from the system. Maximum conversion efficiency as a function of the degree of dilution of the radiation in the absorber is calculated and plotted. For a black absorber, the maximum efficiency rises to 0.93 as the radiation becomes more direct. For a gray absorber, the efficiency can range from 60 to 83%.
Publication:
Journal of Physics A Mathematical General
Pub Date:
April 1979
DOI:
Bibcode:
Keywords:
- Black Body Radiation;
- Diffuse Radiation;
- Electromagnetic Absorption;
- Solar Energy Conversion;
- Thermodynamic Efficiency;
- Absorbers (Materials);
- Energy Conversion Efficiency;
- Photoabsorption;
- Solar Radiation;
- Thermodynamic Equilibrium;
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics