Performance optimization of a thermoelectric generator using metal foam/phase change material composites and fins

Mohamed Errebii, Amina Mourid, Afaf Charraou, Mustapha El Alami and Mounir Kriraa

Energy, 2025, vol. 334, issue C

Abstract: This paper presents a parametric numerical study on optimizing the output performance of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) using phase change materials (PCMs) enhanced by copper metal foams (MFs) with or without two fins under intermittent thermal conditions. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) waste and RT70HC were used as PCMs, respectively, embedded into the hot and cold porous sides of the TEG. The enthalpy-porosity method and the volume-averaging approach were employed to deal with the solid-liquid and liquid-solid phase transition processes. This study evaluates the effectiveness of three composites (MF + LDPE, finned LDPE, and finned MF + LDPE) placed on the hot side of the TEG while the cold side is in contact with MF + RT70HC in stabilizing and improving the TEG output voltage. The effects of porosity (ε) and pore density (PPI) of finned MF + LDPE and MF + RT70HC were studied. The test results revealed that adding finned MF + LDPE on the hot side of the TEG resulted in a more stable output voltage during the charging and discharging processes, as well as a higher output voltage over a longer discharging process compared to finned LDPE. It was revealed that adding MF + RT70HC with a lower pore density of 4 PPI and a reduced porosity of 0.75 on the cold side of the TEG significantly improved the output performance, with a 45.2 % improvement in electrical energy compared to MF + RT70HC with 20 PPI and ε = 0.95. However, changing the PPI and porosity of finned MF + LDPE slightly influenced the output performance.

Keywords: Thermoelectric generator; Porosity; Metal foam; Fins; Phase change material; Performance improvement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:334:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225034486

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.137806

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