Investigation of thermoelectric SiC ceramics for energy harvesting applications on supersonic vehicles leading–edges

Abstract

Utilizing thermoelectric technology to aerodynamic heat harvesting on the leading-edge is worth noticing in the thermal protection systems. In this paper, a nose-tip model in a supersonic flow field is developed to predict the thermoelectric performance of SiC ceramics structures. The generation performance is numerically investigated in terms of the computational fluid dynamics and the thermal conduction theory. The output power and energy efficiency of the nose-tip model are obtained with Mach number varying from 2•5-4•5. The generated power reaches 1•708 W/m 2 at a temperature difference of 757 K at M = 4•5. With respect to the Thomson effect, the output power decreases rapidly. However, larger output power and energy efficiency would be obtained with the increase of Mach number, with or without considering the Thomson heat. Moreover, under the higher Mach numbers, larger range of output current value is available.

Energy Harvesting Technologies for Structural Health Monitoring of Airplane Components—A Review

“…High temperature differences can also be achieved at the nose tips of supersonic aircraft, where the airflow around the tip can significantly increase the temperature. Using computational fluid dynamics and the thermal conduction theory, it was hence shown that values of up to 757 K are developed for supersonic flights at Mach 4.5 [ 158 ]. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are, in turn, typically powered by two-stroke internal combustion engines characterized by a high power-to-weight ratio.…”

“…shown that Δ values of up to 757 K are developed for supersonic flights at Mach 4.5 [158]. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are, in turn, typically powered by two-stroke internal combustion engines characterized by a high power-to-weight ratio.…”

Effects of physical dimensions, temperature ranges and interfacial thermal contacts on the multi‐stage thermoelectric generators for a hypersonic vehicle

“…At present, the TEG technique has already been employed in a variety of space missions, like the Transit 4A satellite, 9 Curiosity Mars rover, 9 Galileo spacecraft, 10 New Horizons space probes, 11 and Cassini spacecraft 11 and for hypersonic engineering, it is also considered as one the most promising TM techniques and attracts lots of research attentions. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] The TPS with integrated TEGs is described as "holds the potential to harvest free energy and save weight by reducing onboard power systems" in the NASA's Technology Area Roadmap 14-Thermal Management Systems. 23 A TEG is usually composed of a couple of P-and N-type TE material legs, which can convert the heat into electric energy under certain temperature difference based on the so-called Seebeck effect.…”

“…For the hypersonic vehicles, Han et al 12 investigated the TE performance of SiC ceramic based leading edges and studied the influences of Mach number and Thomson effect. Chen et al 13 fabricated a TEG prototype and experimentally studied the influences of structural parameters.…”

Archives of Metallurgy and Materials

“…in this regard, silicon-carbon (SiC) is a ceramic that has been widely used in high-temperature thermoelectric structures. due to its high resistance to heat and oxidation, this particular compound has shown a high amount of thermal conductivity (about 120 W/mk), which results in a small amount of ZT [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Therefore, searching the achievement of higher ZT and reducing thermal conductivity, methods such as making nanotubes, nanoparticles, or creating nanowires based on SiC have been widely studied, all of which improve the Te performance compound.…”