Fully–coupled thermal–electric modeling of thermoelectric generators

Wielgosz, Sarah E.; Clifford, Corey E.; Yu, Kevin; Barry, Matthew

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2022.126324

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…In [50], an effect of the geometric design and height of the TEM legs on the optimal output voltage was studied. In [51], the ANSYS Workbench software was used to model a TEM in which the Peltier, Joule, and Thomson effects were included in the heat equation. A holistic 3D finite element simulation model for a thermoelectric power generator element implemented into COMSOL Multiphysics software was demonstrated in [52].…”

Section: A Model Of a Thermoelectric Convertermentioning

confidence: 99%

An Efficient Electrothermal Model of a Thermoelectric Converter for a Thermal Energy Harvesting Process Simulation and Electronic Circuits Powering

Dziurdzia,

Bratek,

Markiewicz

2023

Energies

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This paper deals with an electrothermal model of a thermoelectric converter dedicated to performing simulations of coupled thermal and electrical phenomena taking place in harvesting processes. The proposed model is used to estimate the electrical energy gain from waste heat that would be sufficient to supply electronic circuits, in particular autonomous battery-less nodes of wireless sensor networks (WSN) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The developed model is not limited to low-power electronic solutions such as WSN or IoT; it can also be scaled up and applied to simulations of considerably higher thermal power conversion. In this paper, a few practical case studies are presented that show the feasibility and suitability of the proposed model for complex simultaneous simulation processes in both the electrical and thermal domains. The first example deals with a combined simulation of the electrothermal model of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) and an electronic harvester circuit based on Analog Devices’ power management integrated circuit LTC3108. The second example relates to the thermalization effect in heat sink-less harvesting applications that could be mitigated by a pulse mode operation. The unique contribution and advancement of the model is the hierarchical structure for scaling up and down, incorporating the complexity of the Seebeck effect, the Joule effect, heat conduction, as well as the temperature dependence of the used materials and the thermoelectric pellet geometries. The simulations can be performed in steady as well as transient states under changing electrical loads and temperatures.

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Section: A Model Of a Thermoelectric Convertermentioning

confidence: 99%

An Efficient Electrothermal Model of a Thermoelectric Converter for a Thermal Energy Harvesting Process Simulation and Electronic Circuits Powering

Dziurdzia,

Bratek,

Markiewicz

2023

Energies

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“…Wielgosz et al [23] discussed the importance of quantifying discretization uncertainty and scrutinizing the thermoelectric phenomena in the numerical models of thermoelectric generators to improve the predictions of their energy performance. Two models were developed and evaluated, a numeric model in Ansys CFX and an iterative analytic model, to address the issues identified.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Methodological Approach of Predicting the Performance of Thermoelectric Generators with Temperature-Dependent Properties and Convection Heat Losses

Sanin-Villa,

Monsalve-Cifuentes

2023

Energies

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Thermoelectric generators are devices that transform thermal energy into electric energy. These devices play an influential role in our constantly developing civilization due to their energy conversion capabilities and advantages over other conventional methods. The material properties and thermoelectric phenomena are paramount to the design process of such devices. The design process must have a complex tool to model all the thermoelectric phenomena, such as, for example, the commercial numerical code of Ansys Mechanical. However, these numerical tools can be methodologically and computationally demanding. Thus, this study aims to develop a methodology through which to characterize thermoelectric generators by using a simplified one-dimensional numerical model that considers temperature-dependent N- and P-type material properties and convective heat losses. The proposed model’s results are compared and validated to a single thermoelectric leg and a complete thermoelectric commercial module, both modeled in Ansys Thermal-Electric. These results consider the different values for electric and thermal loads as current densities, electric resistivities, and heat transfer coefficients. The main result of this study is the correct prediction of the output voltage and output power given by the one-dimensional proposed model, which was validated against a comprehensive model and the commercial thermoelectric module’s information. Therefore, the proposed methodology of this study provides a deeper understanding of the thermoelectric energy conversion process, and it can guide the design and optimization of thermoelectric generators for practical applications.

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Comprehensive modeling and characterization of Chang'E-4 radioisotope thermoelectric generator for lunar mission

et al. 2023

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Fully–coupled thermal–electric modeling of thermoelectric generators

Cited by 6 publications

References 25 publications

An Efficient Electrothermal Model of a Thermoelectric Converter for a Thermal Energy Harvesting Process Simulation and Electronic Circuits Powering

An Efficient Electrothermal Model of a Thermoelectric Converter for a Thermal Energy Harvesting Process Simulation and Electronic Circuits Powering

A Methodological Approach of Predicting the Performance of Thermoelectric Generators with Temperature-Dependent Properties and Convection Heat Losses

Comprehensive modeling and characterization of Chang'E-4 radioisotope thermoelectric generator for lunar mission

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