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Investigation of a double-PCM-based thermoelectric energy-harvesting device using temperature fluctuations in an ambient environment

Author

Listed:
  • Liao, Xinzhong
  • Liu, Yuxuan
  • Ren, Jiahang
  • Guan, Liuping
  • Sang, Xuehao
  • Wang, Bowen
  • Zhang, Hang
  • Wang, Qiuwang
  • Ma, Ting

Abstract

Energy-harvesting devices, consisting of thermoelectric modules and phase change materials (PCMs), can extract energy from the ambient environment for the self-power supply of many small electronic devices such as wireless sensors. However, due to the distinct temperature ranges of various seasons in different places, these devices’ power generation performance may be seriously impaired. In this paper, a new double-PCM-based thermoelectric energy-harvesting device based on temperature fluctuations in the ambient environment is proposed to improve device performance. A double-PCM-based device has been built and tested in an environment with a large temperature range (0–40°C) for three days. Experimental results show that the average output power of the double-PCM-based thermoelectric energy-harvesting device under matched load resistance outperforms that of the single-PCM device by 35.8%. A one-dimensional unsteady heat transfer model is established to describe the temperature variation of PCMs. The influence of phase change is considered through variations in PCMs’ specific heat capacity. This work demonstrates that the proposed double-PCM-based thermoelectric energy-harvesting device performs better over a large temperature range and is more suitable for small electronic devices operating at different times and in different places.

Suggested Citation

  • Liao, Xinzhong & Liu, Yuxuan & Ren, Jiahang & Guan, Liuping & Sang, Xuehao & Wang, Bowen & Zhang, Hang & Wang, Qiuwang & Ma, Ting, 2020. "Investigation of a double-PCM-based thermoelectric energy-harvesting device using temperature fluctuations in an ambient environment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:202:y:2020:i:c:s0360544220308318
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.117724
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    2. Yang, Huizhu & Li, Mingxuan & Wang, Zehui & Ren, Fengsheng & Yang, Yue & Ma, Bijian & Zhu, Yonggang, 2023. "Performance optimization for a novel two-stage thermoelectric generator with different PCMs embedding modes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    3. Cai, Yang & Hong, Bing-Hua & Wu, Wei-Xiong & Wang, Wei-Wei & Zhao, Fu-Yun, 2022. "Active cooling performance of a PCM-based thermoelectric device: Dynamic characteristics and parametric investigations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PB).
    4. Madruga, Santiago & Mendoza, Carolina, 2022. "Introducing a new concept for enhanced micro-energy harvesting of thermal fluctuations through the Marangoni effect," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PA).
    5. Cui, Wei & Si, Tianyu & Li, Xiangxuan & Li, Xinyi & Lu, Lin & Ma, Ting & Wang, Qiuwang, 2022. "Heat transfer enhancement of phase change materials embedded with metal foam for thermal energy storage: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    6. Hamidi, E. & Ganesan, P.B. & Sharma, R.K. & Yong, K.W., 2023. "Computational study of heat transfer enhancement using porous foams with phase change materials: A comparative review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    7. Borhani, S.M. & Hosseini, M.J. & Pakrouh, R. & Ranjbar, A.A. & Nourian, A., 2021. "Performance enhancement of a thermoelectric harvester with a PCM/Metal foam composite," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 1122-1140.
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