A three-dimensional numerical modeling of thermoelectric device with consideration of coupling of temperature field and electric potential field

Wang, Xiao Dong; Yu, Hongxing; Cheng, Chin‐Hsiang; Lin, David T.W.; Kang, Chung-Hao

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2012.09.019

Cited by 151 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The performance and efficiency of TE conversion system can also be improved by minimizing the heat losses to the ambient medium. A three-dimensional numerical model of TEs with consideration of coupling of temperature field and electric potential field is developed [114]. The model is used to determine the performance of TECs with the temperature-dependent thermal conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and electric conductivity of semiconductor materials.…”

Section: Methods Of Efficiency Improvement Of Teg Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comprehensive review of thermoelectric technology: Materials, applications, modelling and performance improvement

Twaha

Zhu

Yan

et al. 2016

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

479

208

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Abstract:Thermoelectric (TE) technology is regarded as alternative and environmentally friendly technology for harvesting and recovering heat which is directly converted into electrical energy using thermoelectric generators (TEG). Conversely, Peltier coolers and heaters are utilized to convert electrical energy into heat energy for cooling and heating purposes The main challenge lying behind the TE technology is the low efficiency of these devices mainly due to low figure of merit (ZT) of the materials used in making them as well as improper setting of the TE systems. The objective of this work is to carry out a comprehensive review of TE technology encompassing the materials, applications, modelling techniques and performance improvement. The paper has covered a wide range of topics related to TE technology subject area including the output power conditioning techniques. The review reveals some important critical aspects regarding TE device application and performance improvement. It is observed that the intensified research into TE technology has led to an outstanding increase in ZT, rendering the use TE devices in diversified application a reality. Not only does the TE material research and TE device geometrical adjustment contributed to TE device performance improvement, but also the use of advanced TE mathematical models which have facilitated appropriate segmentation TE modules using different materials and design of integrated TE devices. TE devices are observed to have booming applications in cooling, heating, electric power generation as well as hybrid applications. With the generation of electric energy using TEG, not only does the waste heat provide heat source but also other energy sources like solar, geothermal, biomass, infra-red radiation have gained increased utilization in TE based systems.However, the main challenge remains in striking the balance between the conflicting parameters; ZT and power factor, when designing and optimizing advanced TE materials.Hence more research is necessary to overcome this and other challenge so that the performance TE device can be improved further.

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Section: Methods Of Efficiency Improvement Of Teg Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comprehensive review of thermoelectric technology: Materials, applications, modelling and performance improvement

Twaha

Zhu

Yan

et al. 2016

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

479

208

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The TEC model has been validated in our previous works for the steady-state operation [45] and the transient operation [47], more details can be found in Refs. [45,47].…”

Section: Boundary Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The 3D multiphysics TEC model proposed by our previous work [45] is employed as the direct problem model. The model assumes that the TEC is operated at steady state; the material properties of the p-type and n-type legs are temperature-dependent; the electric contact resistance and thermal contact resistance between semiconductor leg and metallic connector as well as metallic connector and ceramic plate are ignored; the heat loss to the environment through radiative and convective heat transfer is also ignored.…”

Section: Governing Equationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…for the n-type leg [45]: a n ¼ À9:208 Â 10 À5 À 7:475 Â 10 À7 T þ 1:037 Â 10 À9 T 2 ð9Þ k n ¼ 4:433 À 1:699 Â 10 À2 T þ 2:560 Â 10 À5 T 2 ð10Þ…”

Section: Materials Propertiesunclassified

“…[29,40] has the following drawbacks: (i) temperature-dependent material properties are ignored inevitably; (ii) Joule heat is generally assumed to be equally distributed to the hot and cold ends; (iii) coupling effect of temperature field and electric potential field within semiconductors is ignored so that current density is assumed to be uniform over the cross section of semiconductor legs. A recent work [45] has developed a three-dimensional (3D) multiphysics model; it demonstrated that there exists coupling effect of temperature field and electric potential field within the TEC, which leads to a 3D temperature and current distribution, especially for high temperature difference and large applied current. The thermal resistance model does not solve the internal temperature and electric potential distribution in the TEC, causing that the dependence of the performance on the internal heat transfer and temperature-dependent properties of the materials cannot be understood well.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Performance Comparison of Different Exhaust Exchanger Types Considering Peak Net Power and Optimal Dimension in a Thermoelectric Generator System

Wang

2018

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This study introduces a more scientific comparison method to obtain an effective exhaust heat exchanger in a thermoelectric generator (TEG) system when recycling the waste heat from an engine exhaust, and evaluate the performance of different kinds of exhaust heat exchangers. Moreover, the effect of the heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics on the thermoelectric performance and the dimensional optimization characteristics are analyzed. A complete numerical TEG model using the finite element method is formulated with three common plate-type exhaust heat exchangers (i.e., smooth, offset-strip fin, and corrugated louvered fin types) taken as examples. The results show that it is more scientific and recommended to evaluate the heat exchanger performance by comparing its maximum net power with its separate optimal heat exchange size taken for different heat exchanger types. In this study, the corrugated louvered fin type has obvious advantages. The dimensional optimization results for different heat exchanger types are also presented herein. The method used and the results obtained provide guidance in achieving an efficient exhaust heat exchanger.

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A three-dimensional numerical modeling of thermoelectric device with consideration of coupling of temperature field and electric potential field

Cited by 151 publications

References 41 publications

A comprehensive review of thermoelectric technology: Materials, applications, modelling and performance improvement

A comprehensive review of thermoelectric technology: Materials, applications, modelling and performance improvement

Parameter analysis and optimal design for two-stage thermoelectric cooler

Performance Comparison of Different Exhaust Exchanger Types Considering Peak Net Power and Optimal Dimension in a Thermoelectric Generator System

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