Optimizing the Transient Performance of Thermoelectric Generator with PCM by Taguchi Method

Zhaochun Shi, Guohua Wang (), Chunli Liu, Qiang Lv, Baoli Gong, Yingchao Zhang and Yuying Yan
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Zhaochun Shi: State Key Laboratory of Automotive Simulation and Control, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
Guohua Wang: State Key Laboratory of Automotive Simulation and Control, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
Chunli Liu: Chongqing Key Laboratory of Vehicle Emission and Economizing Energy, Chongqing 401122, China
Qiang Lv: Chongqing Key Laboratory of Vehicle Emission and Economizing Energy, Chongqing 401122, China
Baoli Gong: Chongqing Key Laboratory of Vehicle Emission and Economizing Energy, Chongqing 401122, China
Yingchao Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Automotive Simulation and Control, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
Yuying Yan: Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: Phase change material (PCM) is an effective thermal management method to improve the thermoelectric conversion performance of a system. PCM can not only absorb excessive thermal energy at high temperature to protect the thermoelectric module (TEM) and increase the maximum available temperature range, but also compensate for intermittent energy to extend the working time of the TEM. In the paper, the transient performance is improved by adding PCM to a traditional thermoelectric generator (TEG) system. Due to the low thermal conductivity of PCM, metal fins are used to improve the thermal conductivity of PCM. To achieve maximum efficiency of the TEG system, the Taguchi method is employed. Four factors are heat source thermal power, PCM type, height of the PCM box, and filling ratio of the PCM, respectively. The results show that heat source thermal power has the greatest effect, and PCM has the least effect on the conversion efficiency of the TEG system. Conversion efficiency from thermal to electricity is about 1.472% during 2300 s of the heating and cooling stages.

Keywords: Taguchi method; multiphysics numerical model; phase change material; mesh metal structure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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