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Waste Heat Recovery from Air Using Porous Media and Conversion to Electricity

Author

Listed:
  • Pablo Donoso-García

    (Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Santiago of Chile, Central Station, Santiago 9160000, Chile)

  • Luis Henríquez-Vargas

    (Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Santiago of Chile, Central Station, Santiago 9160000, Chile)

  • Esteban Huerta

    (Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Santiago of Chile, Central Station, Santiago 9160000, Chile)

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical study of waste heat recovery from a fluid stream using thermoelectric devices. The system consisted of a square section duct with spherical porous media placed in its central region. Hot air circulates continuously through the duct and exchanges energy with the solid matrix and subsequently with the thermoelectric modules. The mathematical model of the system was solved using ANSYS/FLUENT software, requiring the implementation of user-defined functions (UDFs) and user-defined scalars (UDS) regarding porous media and thermoelectric generation modelling. From the simulations carried out, global efficiency and electrical power values were obtained in the range of [0.11–4.51] [%] and [0.01–12.77] [W], respectively. Furthermore, for the set of variables analysed, it was observed that the performance of the system is favoured by an increase in the fluid inlet temperature and speed, as well as by a higher external heat transfer coefficient.

Suggested Citation

  • Pablo Donoso-García & Luis Henríquez-Vargas & Esteban Huerta, 2022. "Waste Heat Recovery from Air Using Porous Media and Conversion to Electricity," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-17, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:15:p:5597-:d:878271
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tayfun Uyanık & Emir Ejder & Yasin Arslanoğlu & Yunus Yalman & Yacine Terriche & Chun-Lien Su & Josep M. Guerrero, 2022. "Thermoelectric Generators as an Alternative Energy Source in Shipboard Microgrids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-14, June.
    2. Hsu, Cheng-Ting & Huang, Gia-Yeh & Chu, Hsu-Shen & Yu, Ben & Yao, Da-Jeng, 2011. "Experiments and simulations on low-temperature waste heat harvesting system by thermoelectric power generators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(4), pages 1291-1297, April.
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    4. Gou, Xiaolong & Xiao, Heng & Yang, Suwen, 2010. "Modeling, experimental study and optimization on low-temperature waste heat thermoelectric generator system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(10), pages 3131-3136, October.
    5. Zhang, Hui & Wang, Hong & Zhu, Xun & Qiu, Yong-Jun & Li, Kai & Chen, Rong & Liao, Qiang, 2013. "A review of waste heat recovery technologies towards molten slag in steel industry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 956-966.
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