Numerical investigation of heat transfer mechanism in an embedded PCM-TEG for better overall performance under the fluctuating heat source
Using phase change materials (PCM) can effectively ensure the stable operation of semiconductor thermoelectric generators (TEGs). Conventional PCM-TEG structures exhibit relatively poor output performance due to energy barriers caused by low thermal conductivity. The embedded PCM-TEGs proposed in th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Case Studies in Thermal Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X23011310 |
| _version_ | 1797356868729831424 |
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| author | Jing-Hui Meng Xing-Hao Zhu Yan Liu Min Yang Gui Lu |
| author_facet | Jing-Hui Meng Xing-Hao Zhu Yan Liu Min Yang Gui Lu |
| author_sort | Jing-Hui Meng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Using phase change materials (PCM) can effectively ensure the stable operation of semiconductor thermoelectric generators (TEGs). Conventional PCM-TEG structures exhibit relatively poor output performance due to energy barriers caused by low thermal conductivity. The embedded PCM-TEGs proposed in this study can address this issue well by adopting variable structure composite forms of PCM and TEG, resulting in a more complex heat transfer mode than traditional systems. To evaluate embedded systems' characteristics and performance enhancement methods, this paper first establishes a multiphysics mathematical model for embedded PCM-TEGs. Then, employing the TOPSIS method, an optimal embedded structure that considers system output and stability is obtained. Finally, we investigate the effects of key parameters on system performance, including PCM volume, latent heat, melting point, and metal-added composite materials. The CCC PCM-TEG (embedded PCM-TEG with PCM closer to the cold side) exhibits superior performance with a 28.6 % increase compared to conventional structures. For a given PCM volume, embedded structures with equal heights show better performance due to weak influence from asymmetric configurations on internal heat flow direction. Unlike traditional PCM-TEGs, metal-added composite PCMs in embedded structures reduce the temperature difference range across TEGs and thus deteriorate system performance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:36:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4b64b7776aea4c73816d1ea5d19fba7d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2214-157X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:36:07Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Studies in Thermal Engineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-4b64b7776aea4c73816d1ea5d19fba7d2024-01-12T04:56:33ZengElsevierCase Studies in Thermal Engineering2214-157X2024-01-0153103825Numerical investigation of heat transfer mechanism in an embedded PCM-TEG for better overall performance under the fluctuating heat sourceJing-Hui Meng0Xing-Hao Zhu1Yan Liu2Min Yang3Gui Lu4Beijing Key Laboratory of Emission Surveillance and Control for Thermal Power Generation, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China; School of Energy Power and Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory of Emission Surveillance and Control for Thermal Power Generation, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China; School of Energy Power and Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, College of Control Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory of Space Thermal Control Technology, Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing, 100094, ChinaSchool of Energy Power and Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China; Corresponding author.Using phase change materials (PCM) can effectively ensure the stable operation of semiconductor thermoelectric generators (TEGs). Conventional PCM-TEG structures exhibit relatively poor output performance due to energy barriers caused by low thermal conductivity. The embedded PCM-TEGs proposed in this study can address this issue well by adopting variable structure composite forms of PCM and TEG, resulting in a more complex heat transfer mode than traditional systems. To evaluate embedded systems' characteristics and performance enhancement methods, this paper first establishes a multiphysics mathematical model for embedded PCM-TEGs. Then, employing the TOPSIS method, an optimal embedded structure that considers system output and stability is obtained. Finally, we investigate the effects of key parameters on system performance, including PCM volume, latent heat, melting point, and metal-added composite materials. The CCC PCM-TEG (embedded PCM-TEG with PCM closer to the cold side) exhibits superior performance with a 28.6 % increase compared to conventional structures. For a given PCM volume, embedded structures with equal heights show better performance due to weak influence from asymmetric configurations on internal heat flow direction. Unlike traditional PCM-TEGs, metal-added composite PCMs in embedded structures reduce the temperature difference range across TEGs and thus deteriorate system performance.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X23011310Heat transfer mechanismThermoelectric generatorPhase change materialsComprehensive performance enhancement |
| spellingShingle | Jing-Hui Meng Xing-Hao Zhu Yan Liu Min Yang Gui Lu Numerical investigation of heat transfer mechanism in an embedded PCM-TEG for better overall performance under the fluctuating heat source Case Studies in Thermal Engineering Heat transfer mechanism Thermoelectric generator Phase change materials Comprehensive performance enhancement |
| title | Numerical investigation of heat transfer mechanism in an embedded PCM-TEG for better overall performance under the fluctuating heat source |
| title_full | Numerical investigation of heat transfer mechanism in an embedded PCM-TEG for better overall performance under the fluctuating heat source |
| title_fullStr | Numerical investigation of heat transfer mechanism in an embedded PCM-TEG for better overall performance under the fluctuating heat source |
| title_full_unstemmed | Numerical investigation of heat transfer mechanism in an embedded PCM-TEG for better overall performance under the fluctuating heat source |
| title_short | Numerical investigation of heat transfer mechanism in an embedded PCM-TEG for better overall performance under the fluctuating heat source |
| title_sort | numerical investigation of heat transfer mechanism in an embedded pcm teg for better overall performance under the fluctuating heat source |
| topic | Heat transfer mechanism Thermoelectric generator Phase change materials Comprehensive performance enhancement |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X23011310 |
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