Numerical Study and Optimization of Thermoelectric-Hydraulic Performance of a Novel Thermoelectric Generator Integrated Recuperator

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-11-2019

Publication Title

Energy

Volume

174

First page number:

1176

Last page number:

1187

Abstract

Thermoelectric modules are usually sandwiched between hot-side and cold-side heat exchangers to generate electrical power. But the sandwiched structures are unsuitable for recuperators because large thermal resistance caused by the thermoelectric modules significantly reduces the heat transfer efficiency. In order to maintain heat transfer efficiency and generate more electrical power, a novel concept of a thermoelectric generator integrated recuperator is proposed, with fins made of thermoelectric materials rather than steel. A numerical model is developed using FLUENT software with User Defined Function codes. Compared with conventional plate-fin recuperators, the new recuperator has similar thermal-hydraulic performance and generates additional electrical power. The effects of Reynolds number on open circuit voltage, internal resistance, heat transfer, output power, and pumping power are studied. The optimum hot gas velocity is 1.5 m/s, which produces a temperature difference of 147.6 K, an open circuit voltage of 31.5 mV, and an output power of 0.23 mW. The Taguchi method is employed to design numerical cases for geometrical optimization. Results show that the effect order is: channel width... (See abstract in article).

Keywords

Thermoelectric generator; Recuperator; Heat transfer; Electrical power; Recuperative Brayton cycle

Disciplines

Electro-Mechanical Systems | Heat Transfer, Combustion | Hydraulic Engineering

Language

English

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