Transient modeling and analysis of a stepped-configuration thermoelectric generator considering non-uniform temperature distribution

Xingzhuang Zhu, Zhengxing Zuo, Wei Wang*, Min Zhang, Qian Yin, Ruiheng Liu, Boru Jia

*此作品的通讯作者

科研成果: 期刊稿件文章同行评审

摘要

Aiming at the low output power(P) and conversion efficiency(η) of a conventional thermoelectric generator(TEG), a stepped-configuration TEG integrating half-Heusler-based(HH) and bismuth-telluride-based(BT) thermoelectric modules(TEM) is proposed in this paper. A transient model considering the temperature drop along the gas flow direction is developed to predict the performance of the TEG and proved to be reliable. The effects of time, spatial location, input temperature(Ta,0) and flow rate(ṁa) on the thermoelectric performance of the stepped-configuration TEG are investigated. The results show that the stabilization time of the thermoelectric properties of the high-temperature TEG with HH is shorter than that of the low-temperature TEG with BT, and there is inertia in the transfer of key thermal properties. The thermoelectric properties of the TEM decrease gradually along the gas flow direction and the spatial variation is related to the ratio of the area of the high and low temperature TEG (RHL). P and η of the stepped-configuration TEG increase with RHL by 8.6% and 15.5%, respectively. P increases with Ta,0 and ṁa and η varies with Ta,0 and ṁa in relation to RHL. The maximum P and η of the stepped-configuration TEG are 276.6 W and 5.90%, respectively, and the corresponding Ta,0 and ṁa are 1573 K and 8 g/s, respectively, which are 32.3% higher than that of the conventional TEG. ṁa is a decisive factor affecting the distribution of energy flow in the stepped-configuration TEG, which is more important than Ta,0 and RHL. This scheme can effectively improve η of TEG and provide useful guidance for the study of TEG.

源语言英语
文章编号125360
期刊Applied Energy
383
DOI
出版状态已出版 - 1 4月 2025

指纹

探究 'Transient modeling and analysis of a stepped-configuration thermoelectric generator considering non-uniform temperature distribution' 的科研主题。它们共同构成独一无二的指纹。

引用此

Zhu, X., Zuo, Z., Wang, W., Zhang, M., Yin, Q., Liu, R., & Jia, B. (2025). Transient modeling and analysis of a stepped-configuration thermoelectric generator considering non-uniform temperature distribution. Applied Energy, 383, 文章 125360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125360