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Numerical analysis of the effects of electrical and thermal configurations of thermoelectric modules in large-scale thermoelectric generators

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  • Cózar, I.R.
  • Pujol, T.
  • Lehocky, M.

Abstract

The need to reduce both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions has boosted the interest in using thermoelectric generators (TEGs) as waste heat energy harvesters. High-power TEGs are usually formed by an array of commercial thermoelectric modules (TEMs). Recent studies have analyzed the effects of using different types of electrical connections between TEMs in TEGs to produce electric power, but the effects of using different thermal configurations between TEMs have not been fully examined. Here, both electrical and thermal effects have been investigated using a numerical model developed with GT-SUITE software, which has been validated with laboratory data. TEGs with a number of TEMs between 1 and 100 distributed in different patterns along the exhaust pipe have been simulated under three engine regimes. For a given TEM geometrical pattern and engine regime, results prove the existence of an optimum number of TEMs, beyond which the total extracted power decreases. A mixed spatial distribution of TEMs generates more power than either the pure series or the pure parallel topologies. Finally, a methodology is proposed to choose an appropriate pattern of TEMs for a TEG installed in a system with variable regimes. This method is applied to a mid-size automotive diesel engine.

Suggested Citation

  • Cózar, I.R. & Pujol, T. & Lehocky, M., 2018. "Numerical analysis of the effects of electrical and thermal configurations of thermoelectric modules in large-scale thermoelectric generators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 264-280.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:229:y:2018:i:c:p:264-280
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.07.116
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    4. Martí Comamala & Toni Pujol & Ivan Ruiz Cózar & Eduard Massaguer & Albert Massaguer, 2018. "Power and Fuel Economy of a Radial Automotive Thermoelectric Generator: Experimental and Numerical Studies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-21, October.
    5. Ivan Ruiz Cózar & Toni Pujol & Eduard Massaguer & Albert Massaguer & Lino Montoro & Jose Ramon González & Martí Comamala & Samir Ezzitouni, 2021. "Effects of Module Spatial Distribution on the Energy Efficiency and Electrical Output of Automotive Thermoelectric Generators," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-16, April.
    6. Eduard Massaguer & Albert Massaguer & Eudald Balló & Ivan Ruiz Cózar & Toni Pujol & Lino Montoro & Martí Comamala, 2020. "Electrical Generation of a Ground-Level Solar Thermoelectric Generator: Experimental Tests and One-Year Cycle Simulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, July.
    7. Rami Y. Dahham & Haiqiao Wei & Jiaying Pan, 2022. "Improving Thermal Efficiency of Internal Combustion Engines: Recent Progress and Remaining Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-60, August.
    8. Yang, Wenlong & Zhu, WenChao & Du, Banghua & Wang, Han & Xu, Lamei & Xie, Changjun & Shi, Ying, 2023. "Power generation of annular thermoelectric generator with silicone polymer thermal conductive oil applied in automotive waste heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    9. Aravind, B. & Khandelwal, Bhupendra & Ramakrishna, P.A. & Kumar, Sudarshan, 2020. "Towards the development of a high power density, high efficiency, micro power generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
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    11. He, Min & Wang, Enhua & Zhang, Yuanyin & Zhang, Wen & Zhang, Fujun & Zhao, Changlu, 2020. "Performance analysis of a multilayer thermoelectric generator for exhaust heat recovery of a heavy-duty diesel engine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
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