Abstract：To predict the dynamic characteristics of the thermoelectric generator (TEG) system, a transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for solving the temperature field distribution of TEG system and an analysis model for investigating the transient response characteristics of TEG modules were established based on COMSOL Multiphysics. A hybrid transient CFD-analysis model was proposed and validated through transient experiments. The results show that due to the thermal inertia effect, the conversion efficiency of TEG system exhibits momentary peak value. Compared to the transient fluctuations of exhaust gas temperature and mass flow rate, there is time lag in the hot and cold side temperatures of the thermoelectric semiconductor. Under the highway fuel economy test (HWFET) cycle conditions defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, by the transient model, the average output power and the average conversion efficiency of the entire TEG system are solved with 35.63 W and 3.40%, respectively. The average error of the transient model′s output voltage is 6.41%. By the proposed model, the transient response characteristics of the TEG system under transient thermal source excitation can be predicted with high accuracy and short computation time.
YANG J, STABLER F R. Automotive applications of thermoelectric materials [J]. Journal of Electronic Materials, 2009,38(7):1245-1251.
［2］
TWAHA S, ZHU J, YAN Y Y, et al. A comprehensive review of thermoelectric technology: materials, applications, modelling and performance improvement [J]. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016,65:698-726.
［3］
EZZITOUNI S, FERNNDEZ-YEZ P, SNCHEZ L, et al. Global energy balance in a diesel engine with a thermoelectric generator [J]. Applied Energy,DOI:10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115139.
［4］
WANG Y P, LI S, XIE X, et al. Performance evaluation of an automotive thermoelectric generator with inserted fins or dimpled-surface hot heat exchanger [J]. Applied Energy, 2018,218:391-401.
［5］
KEMPF N, ZHANG Y L. Design and optimization of automotive thermoelectric generators for maximum fuel efficiency improvement [J]. Energy Conversion and Management, 2016,121:224-231.
［6］
MASSAGUER A, MASSAGUER E, COMAMALA M, et al. Transient behavior under a normalized driving cycle of an automotive thermoelectric generator [J]. Applied Energy, 2017,206:1282-1296.
LIU Y, SHI X Y, NI J M, et al. Optimization of thermoelectric generation system with engine exhaust gas [J]. Chinese Internal Combustion Engine Engineering, 2017,38(2):8-14.(in Chinese)
［8］
LUO D, YAN Y Y, WANG R C, et al. Numerical investigation on the dynamic response characteristics of a thermoelectric generator module under transient temperature excitations [J]. Renewable Energy, 2021,170:811-823.
［9］
WANG S L, LIU H B, GAO Y W, et al. Transient supercooling performance of thermoelectric coolers with a continuous double current pulse [J]. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2021,120:127-135.
［10］
LUO D, WANG R C, YU W, et al. Theoretical analysis of energy recovery potential for different types of con-ventional vehicles with a thermoelectric generator [J]. Energy Procedia, 2019,158:142-147.
［11］
KUMAR S, HEISTER S D, XU X, et al. Thermoelectric generators for automotive waste heat recovery systems part II: parametric evaluation and topological stu-dies [J]. Journal of Electron Mater, 2013,42(6):944-955.
［12］
WANG Y C, DAI C S, WANG S X. Theoretical analysis of a thermoelectric generator using exhaust gas of vehicles as heat source [J]. Applied Energy, 2013,112:1171-1180.
2024, Vol. 45 
