Development and validation of a new TRNSYS type for the simulation of thermoelectric generators

Massaguer, E.; Massaguer, A.; Montoro, Lino; González, José Ramón Perán

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.08.010

Cited by 46 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…It is found that under high heat flux imposing upon the hot end, the thermal stress is so strong that it has a decisive effect on the life expectation of the device. Similarly, a numerical transient simulation tool based on TRNSYS is used to assess and optimize TEG in real applications [92]. This tool takes into account the whole energy system, and the designed TEG component is able to cope with both electrical and thermal dynamics.…”

Section: Numerical Te Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comprehensive review of thermoelectric technology: Materials, applications, modelling and performance improvement

Twaha

Zhu

Yan

et al. 2016

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

503

208

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Abstract:Thermoelectric (TE) technology is regarded as alternative and environmentally friendly technology for harvesting and recovering heat which is directly converted into electrical energy using thermoelectric generators (TEG). Conversely, Peltier coolers and heaters are utilized to convert electrical energy into heat energy for cooling and heating purposes The main challenge lying behind the TE technology is the low efficiency of these devices mainly due to low figure of merit (ZT) of the materials used in making them as well as improper setting of the TE systems. The objective of this work is to carry out a comprehensive review of TE technology encompassing the materials, applications, modelling techniques and performance improvement. The paper has covered a wide range of topics related to TE technology subject area including the output power conditioning techniques. The review reveals some important critical aspects regarding TE device application and performance improvement. It is observed that the intensified research into TE technology has led to an outstanding increase in ZT, rendering the use TE devices in diversified application a reality. Not only does the TE material research and TE device geometrical adjustment contributed to TE device performance improvement, but also the use of advanced TE mathematical models which have facilitated appropriate segmentation TE modules using different materials and design of integrated TE devices. TE devices are observed to have booming applications in cooling, heating, electric power generation as well as hybrid applications. With the generation of electric energy using TEG, not only does the waste heat provide heat source but also other energy sources like solar, geothermal, biomass, infra-red radiation have gained increased utilization in TE based systems.However, the main challenge remains in striking the balance between the conflicting parameters; ZT and power factor, when designing and optimizing advanced TE materials.Hence more research is necessary to overcome this and other challenge so that the performance TE device can be improved further.

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Section: Numerical Te Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comprehensive review of thermoelectric technology: Materials, applications, modelling and performance improvement

Twaha

Zhu

Yan

et al. 2016

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

503

208

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This is due to the Thomson effect, which suggests that distributed heating or cooling can occur even in the same solid because of the temperature dependence of Seebeck coefficient. However, as a result of that this study is focused on low-temperature system, the Thomson effect can be neglected [21].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To carry out the following study, we have used various theoretical models [21,[34][35][36] that allow us to simulate the electro-thermal behaviour of a real TEM, working as a TEG or TEC. These models are based on the Eq.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When an electric load is applied across this circuit, useful amounts of power can be generated in response to the temperature gradient applied. It is interesting to note the effect of heat transfer through TE couple with the applied load resistance; when electric load is the lowest the heat transfer is the highest due to the higher contribution of Joule and Peltier effect [21], and vice versa.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Electrically tunable thermal conductivity in thermoelectric materials: Active and passive control

et al. 2015

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“…TEG is formed by TEMs (which present thermoelectric material, ceramic plates, joints…), the heat exchangers that are located on both sides of thermoelectric modules, as well as by any elementary component for correct assembly of the whole system; consequently, everything needs to be included into the model [41,42]. Moreover, each thermoelectric phenomenon (Seebeck effect, Thomson effect, Peltier effect and Joule effect) needs to be taken into account, especially in thermoelectric generation due to significant temperature difference between hot and cold sides of TEMs, to obtain accurate results [43][44][45]; likewise, thermoelectric properties need to be defined as function of temperature not to commit big errors [46].…”

Section: Computational Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermoelectric Power Generation Optimization by Thermal Design Means

Aranguren¹,

Astrain²

2016

Thermoelectrics for Power Generation - A Look at Trends in the Technology

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One of the biggest challenges of the twenty-first century is to satisfy the demand for electrical energy in an environmentally speaking clean way. Thus, it is very important to search for new alternative energy sources along with increasing the efficiency of current processes. Thermoelectric power generation, by means of harvesting waste heat and converting it into electricity, can help to achieve above-mentioned goal. Nowadays, efficiency of thermoelectric power generators limits them to become key technology in electric power generation, but their performance has potential of being optimized, if thermal design of such generators is optimized. Heat exchangers located on both sides of thermoelectric modules (TEMs), mass flow of refrigerants and occupancy ratio (the area covered by TEMs related to base area), among others, need to be fine-tuned in order to obtain the maximum net power generation (thermoelectric power generation minus consumption of auxiliary equipment). Finned dissipator, cold plate, heat pipe and thermosiphon are experimentally tested to maximize net thermoelectric generation on real-working furnace based on computational model. Maximum generation of 137 MWh/year using thermosiphons is achieved with 32% of area covered by TEMs.

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Development and validation of a new TRNSYS type for the simulation of thermoelectric generators

Cited by 46 publications

References 19 publications

A comprehensive review of thermoelectric technology: Materials, applications, modelling and performance improvement

A comprehensive review of thermoelectric technology: Materials, applications, modelling and performance improvement

Electrically tunable thermal conductivity in thermoelectric materials: Active and passive control

Thermoelectric Power Generation Optimization by Thermal Design Means

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