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Multi-objective optimization of an airfoil fin printed circuit LNG vaporizer with thermoelectric modules based on fuzzy inference Taguchi method

Author

Listed:
  • Pan, Jie
  • Wang, Jiajie
  • Li, Ran
  • Tang, Linghong

Abstract

To harness the cold energy released during LNG regasification, this paper introduces a novel thermoelectric generator (PTEG) that integrates an airfoil fin printed circuit LNG vaporizer with thermoelectric modules for use in floating storage regasification units (FSRUs). A fluid-thermal-electric multi-physics numerical model was developed, and a multi-objective structural optimization using the fuzzy inference Taguchi method (FITM) was employed to identify the optimal thermoelectric-hydraulic performance. An L16 orthogonal array was constructed considering four levels of three factors: the height of thermoelectric legs, the length of thermoelectric legs, and the staggered pitch of fins. The optimal values were 1.6 mm, 1.2 mm, and 2 mm, respectively. The optimal combination achieved a Colburn-j factor of 0.00791, a Fanning friction factor of 0.01256, and a maximum output power of 1.94903 W. In comparison to Taguchi optimization, the heat transfer performance improved by 3.4 %, the thermoelectric output performance enhanced by 9.37 %, and the hydraulic performance exhibited a decrease of 2.7 %. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) is approximately 0.034 $/kW∙h, which highlights the extensive potential application of PTEG in FSRU systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Pan, Jie & Wang, Jiajie & Li, Ran & Tang, Linghong, 2026. "Multi-objective optimization of an airfoil fin printed circuit LNG vaporizer with thermoelectric modules based on fuzzy inference Taguchi method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:342:y:2026:i:c:s0360544225052326
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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