A novel hybrid thermoelectric generator configuration with blocking diodes to reduce power loss by preventing reverse current effects under non-uniform temperature distribution

IF 9 1区工程技术 Q1 ENERGY & FUELS

Renewable Energy Pub Date : 2025-02-18 DOI:10.1016/j.renene.2025.122689

W.K. Alani , J. Zheng , L. Lei , M.A. Fayad

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs) convert heat into electricity, offering sustainable renewable energy solutions. However, parallel TEG configurations face challenges from non-uniform temperature distributions (NTD), leading to power losses and reduced efficiency due to reverse current flow in real conditions. This study presents novel hybrid TEG configurations incorporating Schottky diodes as blocking diodes to mitigate reverse current effects, thereby reducing power losses and enhancing system performance.

The research aims to identify the most effective connection by evaluating power output and efficiency under controlled experimental conditions that replicate real-world non-uniform temperature distributions. Experimental data was obtained from a novel experimental setup designed in SolidWorks and simulated using MATLAB to evaluate the electrical and thermal performance of various parallel TEG configurations. Four identical TEG units (model TEG-10-62-30) were tested under simultaneous conditions: two integrated with Schottky diodes (model 1N5822) as blocking diodes and two in a standard configuration without diodes.

The key findings detected that integrating Schottky diodes improved TEGs performance, increasing power output from 2.281 W to 3.424 W and efficiency from 2.93 % to 4.191 % when the ΔT ranges from 0° to 68°. Discrepancies were minimized between theoretical and experimental results, and simulations predicted that hybrid configurations at ΔT = 170 °C could generate 26.184 W with 16.894 % efficiency.

This study emphasizes the effectiveness of hybrid TEG configurations with blocking diodes in minimizing power loss by preventing reverse currents under non-uniform temperature distribution, offering a promising solution to enhance energy recovery in renewable systems. Policymakers should promote hybrid TEG configurations with Schottky diodes to advance TEG technology and integrate energy recovery into renewable energy strategies.

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来源期刊

Renewable Energy 工程技术-能源与燃料

CiteScore

18.40

自引率

9.20%

发文量

1955

审稿时长

6.6 months

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