A three-dimensional analytical model for performance evaluation of thermoelectric generators

IF 6.4 2区工程技术 Q1 THERMODYNAMICS

Case Studies in Thermal Engineering Pub Date : 2024-11-27 DOI:10.1016/j.csite.2024.105579

Dandan Pang, Aibing Zhang, Baolin Wang, Guangyong Li, Jia Lou

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

A three-dimensional (3D) theoretical model for thermoelectric generators (TEGs) has been developed in this paper, yielding analytical solutions for power output and energy conversion efficiency. The model comprehensively considers convective heat transfer between the thermoelectric legs and their ambient environment, as well as 3D heat conduction within the ceramic substrates. Numerical results reveal the significant influence of convective heat loss from the legs' surfaces on efficiency, especially for taller legs or higher heat convection coefficient, while having a minimal impact on power output for the constant temperature boundaries. It is shown that neglecting 3D heat conduction within the ceramic substrates leads to a substantial overestimation of TEG performance. Additionally, the complex 3D heat conduction problem for TEGs can be simplified into a more manageable 1D model with only minor adjustments to classical TEG theory. This is achieved by introducing analytical expressions for a dimensionless impact factor to quantify convective heat loss from the legs’ surfaces and the effective thermal conductance of the ceramic substrates. The proposed model serves as a valuable tool for simplifying the modeling process and optimizing the design of actual TEGs.

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热电发电机性能评价的三维解析模型

本文建立了热电发电机（TEGs）的三维理论模型，给出了热电发电机输出功率和能量转换效率的解析解。该模型综合考虑了热电腿与其周围环境之间的对流换热，以及陶瓷基板内部的三维热传导。数值计算结果表明，腿面对流热损失对效率有显著影响，特别是在腿高或热对流系数较高的情况下，而对恒温边界的输出功率影响最小。结果表明，忽略陶瓷衬底内的三维热传导会导致对TEG性能的过高估计。此外，TEG复杂的三维热传导问题可以简化为更易于管理的一维模型，只需对经典TEG理论进行微小的调整。这是通过引入无量纲影响因子的解析表达式来量化腿表面的对流热损失和陶瓷基板的有效热传导来实现的。该模型为简化实际teg的建模过程和优化设计提供了有价值的工具。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Case Studies in Thermal Engineering Chemical Engineering-Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

CiteScore

8.60

自引率

11.80%

发文量

812

审稿时长

76 days

期刊介绍： Case Studies in Thermal Engineering provides a forum for the rapid publication of short, structured Case Studies in Thermal Engineering and related Short Communications. It provides an essential compendium of case studies for researchers and practitioners in the field of thermal engineering and others who are interested in aspects of thermal engineering cases that could affect other engineering processes. The journal not only publishes new and novel case studies, but also provides a forum for the publication of high quality descriptions of classic thermal engineering problems. The scope of the journal includes case studies of thermal engineering problems in components, devices and systems using existing experimental and numerical techniques in the areas of mechanical, aerospace, chemical, medical, thermal management for electronics, heat exchangers, regeneration, solar thermal energy, thermal storage, building energy conservation, and power generation. Case studies of thermal problems in other areas will also be considered.