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Comparison and parameter optimization of a segmented thermoelectric generator by using the high temperature exhaust of a diesel engine

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  • Tian, Hua
  • Sun, Xiuxiu
  • Jia, Qi
  • Liang, Xingyu
  • Shu, Gequn
  • Wang, Xu

Abstract

This paper proposes a segmented thermoelectric generator (TEG) that can be used to recover exhaust waste heat from a diesel engine (DE). A mathematic model of the segmented TEG was constructed based on the low-temperature thermoelectric material bismuth telluride and the medium-temperature thermoelectric material skutterudite. Performance was compared between segmented and traditional TEGs, and the performance of the segmented TEG was optimized based on the comparison. The model simulates the impact of relevant factors, including the exhaust temperature, cold source temperature, thermocouple length, and the length ratio between the two materials, on the output power and conversion efficiency. The results showed that the segmented TEG is more suitable than the traditional TEG for a high-temperature heat source and for large temperature differences. Moreover, the maximum output power was inversely proportional to the thermocouple length; however, the maximum conversion efficiency was directly proportional. The ratio of the two materials depended on the temperature of the heat and cold source. Finally, a comparison of application potential of the TEGs showed that the segmented TEG had greater potential for waste heat recovery compared with the traditional TEG.

Suggested Citation

  • Tian, Hua & Sun, Xiuxiu & Jia, Qi & Liang, Xingyu & Shu, Gequn & Wang, Xu, 2015. "Comparison and parameter optimization of a segmented thermoelectric generator by using the high temperature exhaust of a diesel engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 121-130.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:84:y:2015:i:c:p:121-130
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.02.063
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    Cited by:

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    7. Prasert Nonthakarn & Mongkol Ekpanyapong & Udomkiat Nontakaew & Erik Bohez, 2019. "Design and Optimization of an Integrated Turbo-Generator and Thermoelectric Generator for Vehicle Exhaust Electrical Energy Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-24, August.
    8. Marenco-Porto, Carlos A. & Fierro, José J. & Nieto-Londoño, César & Lopera, Leonardo & Escudero-Atehortua, Ana & Giraldo, Mauricio & Jouhara, Hussam, 2023. "Potential savings in the cement industry using waste heat recovery technologies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    9. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lin, Yen-Kuan & Luo, Ding & Jin, Liwen & Hoang, Anh Tuan & Saw, Lip Huat & Nižetić, Sandro, 2023. "Effects of material doping on the performance of thermoelectric generator with/without equal segments," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 350(C).
    10. Su, Ning & Zhu, Pengfei & Pan, Yuhui & Li, Fu & Li, Bo, 2020. "3D-printing of shape-controllable thermoelectric devices with enhanced output performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    11. Shittu, Samson & Li, Guiqiang & Zhao, Xudong & Ma, Xiaoli, 2020. "Review of thermoelectric geometry and structure optimization for performance enhancement," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    12. Su, Guozhen & Zhang, Yanchao & Cai, Ling & Su, Shanhe & Chen, Jincan, 2015. "Conceptual design and simulation investigation of an electronic cooling device powered by hot electrons," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P2), pages 1842-1847.
    13. Ali, Haider & Yilbas, Bekir Sami & Al-Sulaiman, Fahad A., 2016. "Segmented thermoelectric generator: Influence of pin shape configuration on the device performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 439-452.
    14. Karana, Dhruv Raj & Sahoo, Rashmi Rekha, 2019. "Influence of geometric parameter on the performance of a new asymmetrical and segmented thermoelectric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 90-99.
    15. Yang, Wenlong & Zhu, WenChao & Li, Yang & Zhang, Leiqi & Zhao, Bo & Xie, Changjun & Yan, Yonggao & Huang, Liang, 2022. "Annular thermoelectric generator performance optimization analysis based on concentric annular heat exchanger," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PB).
    16. Tingzhen Ming & Qiankun Wang & Keyuan Peng & Zhe Cai & Wei Yang & Yongjia Wu & Tingrui Gong, 2015. "The Influence of Non-Uniform High Heat Flux on Thermal Stress of Thermoelectric Power Generator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-19, November.
    17. Hancock, Asher J. & Fulton, Laura B. & Ying, Justin & Clifford, Corey E. & Sammak, Shervin & Barry, Matthew M., 2021. "A GPU-Accelerated ray-tracing method for determining radiation view factors in multi-junction thermoelectric generators," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    18. Joung, Jaewon & Cheon, Seong-Yong & Kang, Yong-Kwon & Kim, Minseong & Park, Junseok & Jeong, Jae-Weon, 2023. "Impact of external electric resistance on the power generation in the thermoelectric energy harvesting blocks," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 779-791.
    19. Luo, Yang & Li, Linlin & Chen, Yiping & Kim, Chang Nyung, 2022. "Influence of geometric parameter and contact resistances on the thermal-electric behavior of a segmented TEG," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PC).
    20. Ge, Ya & Liu, Zhichun & Sun, Henan & Liu, Wei, 2018. "Optimal design of a segmented thermoelectric generator based on three-dimensional numerical simulation and multi-objective genetic algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 1060-1069.
    21. Wang, Ruochen & Yu, Wei & Meng, Xiangpeng, 2018. "Performance investigation and energy optimization of a thermoelectric generator for a mild hybrid vehicle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 1016-1028.

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