Numerical analysis on the thermal behavior of a segmented thermoelectric generator

Ming, Tingzhen; Yang, Wei; Wu, Yongjia; Xiang, Yitian; Huang, Xiaoming; Cheng, Jiangtao; Li, Xiaohua; Zhao, Jiyun

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.11.021

Cited by 46 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…It should be noted that although conversion efficiency and output power are the two most important performance indicators of TEGs, their thermo-mechanical behavior cannot be ignored, especially at high temperature operation. Thermal stress is a major concern in the case of segmented TEGs as they are designed to operate under large temperature difference 68 . Figure 5(a,b) show the temperature distribution in BiTe and PbTe legs, when hot-side and cold-side are maintained at 873 K and 283 K, respectively.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimization of segmented thermoelectric generator using Taguchi and ANOVA techniques

Kishore

Sanghadasa

Priya

2017

Sci Rep

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Recent studies have demonstrated that segmented thermoelectric generators (TEGs) can operate over large thermal gradient and thus provide better performance (reported efficiency up to 11%) as compared to traditional TEGs, comprising of single thermoelectric (TE) material. However, segmented TEGs are still in early stages of development due to the inherent complexity in their design optimization and manufacturability. In this study, we demonstrate physics based numerical techniques along with Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Taguchi optimization method for optimizing the performance of segmented TEGs. We have considered comprehensive set of design parameters, such as geometrical dimensions of p-n legs, height of segmentation, hot-side temperature, and load resistance, in order to optimize output power and efficiency of segmented TEGs. Using the state-of-the-art TE material properties and appropriate statistical tools, we provide near-optimum TEG configuration with only 25 experiments as compared to 3125 experiments needed by the conventional optimization methods. The effect of environmental factors on the optimization of segmented TEGs is also studied. Taguchi results are validated against the results obtained using traditional full factorial optimization technique and a TEG configuration for simultaneous optimization of power and efficiency is obtained.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimization of segmented thermoelectric generator using Taguchi and ANOVA techniques

Kishore

Sanghadasa

Priya

2017

Sci Rep

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“…Afterward, this temperature profile is applied as the thermal load to quantify the thermal stresses by performing structural finite element. The governing equations describing thermal stress in STEGs systems are presented in Section 5 of the supplementary section according to 50,51,52 . Thermal stresses occur due to the temperature gradient along the segmented TE modules as well as due to CTE mismatch of the materials considered in the analyses.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The governing equations describing thermal stress in STEGs systems are presented in Section 5 of the supplementary section according to. 50,51,52 Thermal stresses occur due to the temperature gradient along the segmented TE modules as well as due to CTE mismatch of the materials considered in the analyses. SOLID278 and 8-node SOLID185 elements were selected to perform thermal and structural simulations, respectively.…”

Section: Numerical Simulations For Thermal Stress Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical analysis of energy conversion efficiency and thermal reliability of novel, unileg segmented thermoelectric generation systems

Aljaghtham

Çelik

2021

Int J Energy Res

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Despite their great potential to recover waste heat, thermoelectric generators (TEGs) find limited usage since thermoelectric materials are only efficient within a limited temperature range. Using multiple materials in segmented TEGs can significantly enhance the overall energy conversion efficiency. However, thermal reliability is questionable in these systems especially at elevated temperatures and in annular configurations. This study explores the feasibility of utilizing unileg (single material) segmented TEG configuration as a remedy for the thermal stress problem. This study introduces the concept of unileg, segmented thermoelectric configurations (flat and annular) for the first time, and three-dimensional finite element simulations are conducted to investigate the thermoelectric performance and thermal reliability analysis in comparison with the conventional unicouple (dual material) systems. Results indicate that thermal stresses are significantly lowered in unileg systems compared to the unicouple configuration. In addition to the enhanced thermal reliability, power generation and thermoelectric conversion efficiency are higher in unileg systems since the material with higher performance is used solely eliminating the need of poorly performing, second thermoelectric leg material.

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“…It was found that for the designed TE module, there is an optimal length ratio to the TE module to produce a maximum output, which depends not only on the material, but also on the geometrical structure. Therefore, except for improving the thermoelectric performance by enhancing the thermoelectric materials, thermoelectric performance can also be improved by improving the structure/geometry of thermoelectric components [11,36], such as the thermoelement length [86], the number of thermocouples [87], the ratio of thermocouple length to cross-sectional area [88,89], slenderness ratio (X = (A p /L p )/(A n /L n ) [86,[90][91][92] and the thermoelement with a special sectional area [93,94].…”

Section: Structure/geometrymentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comprehensive Review of Strategies and Approaches for Enhancing the Performance of Thermoelectric Module

Song

Qian

et al. 2020

Energies

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In recent years, thermoelectric (TE) technology has been emerging as a promising alternative and environmentally friendly technology for power generators or cooling devices due to the increasingly serious energy shortage and environmental pollution problems. However, although TE technology has been found for a long time and applied in many professional fields, its low energy conversion efficiency and high cost also hinder its wide application. Thus, it is still urgent to improve the thermoelectric modules. This work comprehensively reviews the status of strategies and approaches for enhancing the performance of thermoelectrics, including material development, structure and geometry improvement, the optimization of a thermal management system, and the thermal structure design. In particular, the influence of contact thermal resistance and the improved optimization methods are discussed. This work covers many fields related to the enhancement of thermoelectrics. It is found that the main challenge of TE technology remains the improvement of materials’ properties, the decrease in costs and commercialization. Therefore, a lot of research needs to be carried out to overcome this challenge and further improve the performance of TE modules. Finally, the future research direction of TE technology is discussed. These discussions provide some practical guidance for the improvement of thermoelectric performance and the promotion of thermoelectric applications.

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Numerical analysis on the thermal behavior of a segmented thermoelectric generator

Cited by 46 publications

References 42 publications

Optimization of segmented thermoelectric generator using Taguchi and ANOVA techniques

Optimization of segmented thermoelectric generator using Taguchi and ANOVA techniques

Numerical analysis of energy conversion efficiency and thermal reliability of novel, unileg segmented thermoelectric generation systems

A Comprehensive Review of Strategies and Approaches for Enhancing the Performance of Thermoelectric Module

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