Multiphysics simulations of thermoelectric generator modules with cold and hot blocks and effects of some factors

W Li,M.C Paul,A Montecucco,J Siviter,A.R Knox,T Sweet,M Gao,H Baig,T.K Mallick,G Han,D.H Gregory,F Azough,R Freer

doi:10.1016/j.csite.2017.03.005

Abstract

Transient and steady-state multiphysics numerical simulations are performed to investigate the thermal and electrical performances of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) module placed between hot and cold blocks. Effects of heat radiation, leg length and Seebeck coefficient on the TEG thermal and electrical performances are identified. A new correlation for the Seebeck coefficient with temperature is proposed. Radiation effects on the thermal and electric performances are found to be negligible under both transient and steady-state conditions. The leg length of the TEG module shows a considerable influence on the electrical performance but little on the thermal performance under transient conditions. A nearly linear temperature profile on a leg of the TEG module is identified. The temperature profile of the substrate surfaces is non-uniform, especially in the contacted areas between the straps (tabs) and the substrates.

Highlights

An integrated or hybrid compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) with photovoltaic (PV) and other thermal techniques have been proposed recently to improve the solar energy utilisation efficiency potentially
The temperature on the hot side of the thermoelectric generator (TEG) module is in good agreement with the experimental data
This work studies the dynamic thermal and electrical performance of a TEG module placed between a hot block heated by an electrical heater, and a water-cooled block

Summary

Introduction

An integrated or hybrid compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) with photovoltaic (PV) and other thermal techniques have been proposed recently to improve the solar energy utilisation efficiency potentially. A hybrid photovoltaic-thermal water heating system was developed recently for residential applications [5,6]. In [11], a TEG, CPC and heat exchanger were integrated together to form a hybrid electric/thermal energy conversion device with the best conversion efficiencies, 0.6% and 43.3% in electricity and thermal energy at a water flow rate of 0.24 kg/s, respectively. We aim to develop an integrated CPC, PV, TEG and other thermal techniques for a further increase working efficiency of a PV module. A numerical method is needed to characterize the steady-state and transient thermal and electrical performance of a TEG module when the temperature, geometrical and electrical parameters of the TEG are varied

Objectives

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Conclusion