温差发电器应用于火力发电厂的分析

火力发电厂用锅炉吸收热能发电，而锅炉这一特殊结构部件既可以为热电效应为基础的温差发电器提供热源，也可以为其提供冷源，这为温差发电器应用于火力发电厂创造了条件。本文对应用温差发电器的可能性以及应用后火力发电厂的效率进行了分析，结论是可以提高火力发电厂效率，提出了锅炉各个温度区域如何应用热电器件的方法，并对在锅炉中应用温差发电器应该考虑的问题进行了分析。     

计及电热耦合的多级温差发电建模和试验研究

为准确描述多级温差发电器实际工作时各级节点温度分布与通过热功率及其热电输出特性之间的关系,文章建立了计及电热耦合的多级温差发电数值分析模型。运用贪心算法(Greedy Algorithm)编程求解,以常见的Bi2Te3,PbTe和SiGe 3种半导体材料的发电片为例,通过试验验证了模型的正确性,并进一步研究了电热耦合效应对多级温差发电器的Seebeck电压、发电功率和热电转换效率的影响。模型的数值求解和实测结果对比表明:由于电热耦合效应的存在,多级温差发电器在实际工作时各级节点的温度上升,但冷、热端的温差值减小;电热耦合效应会使Seebeck电压、发电功率和热电转换效率明显降低,下降幅度随多级温差发电器热端温度的升高而增大,随发电器级数的增加而减小。     

小型温差能发电装置发电特性分析与试验

针对自主升降海洋观测平台的电能供给问题,设计一种小型化温差能发电装置,建立热能转换和蓄能发电仿真模型;针对南海海域温度分布情况,对装置的温差热能转换性能和发电性能进行仿真分析。在此基础上,制作小型温差能发电装置,并在北黄海冷水团进行温差换热和发电性能验证试验。试验结果表明:温差发电装置达到设计要求,热能转换系统能在高温环境(温度高于24.5℃)、低温环境(温度低于13.6℃)的条件下完成热能转换,一次热能转换中换热系统能输出约360 mL的液压油,发电机最大输出功率达298 W,发电量约为939.9 J。     

应用温差发电器降低锅炉排烟热损失

锅炉是一种特殊结构部件，既可以为热电效应为基础的温差发电器提供热源，也可以为其提供冷源，这为应用温差发电器创造了条件。应用温差发电器可以降低排烟温度，减少排烟热损失。文章对应用温差发电器的可能性以及应用后的效率进行了分析，结论是可以提高锅炉效率；提出了如何应用温差发电器件的方法．并对锅炉应用温差发电器降低排烟损失应该考虑的问题进行了分析。     

温差发电模型的热电性能数值计算和分析

为研究半导体温差发电器的热电性能,利用有限元分析方法分别对由4对、12对和126对p/n结构成的3种温差发电模型进行热电耦合仿真模拟。分析负载电阻、温差、p-n结对数不同时,温差发电模型内阻、开路电压、路端电压、回路电流、功率及效率的变化规律。结果表明:温差发电模型内阻仅随p-n结对数的增大而线性增大,不受其他条件影响;开路电压、路端电压和回路电流均随p-n结对数和温差的增加而增大;功率和效率均随温差的增加而增大,当负载电阻与内阻相等时,温差发电模型的功率和效率最大。当温差由128℃增至218℃时,3种模型的最大功率分别由0.15、0.46和5.7 W增至0.44、1.33和16.5 W,126对模型的最大效率由2.4%增至4%。     

相变传热在半导体热电转换中的应用

为了解决温差发电技术中发电片热端与尾气间热损失大造成输出功率和热电转化效率不高的问题,提出在尾气与温差发电片热端加装相变传热结构,并计算了加装相变结构后发电器的输出功率和效率,同时与相同传热面积时无相变传热情况进行了对比,并模拟了蒸发段管数和冷凝段高度对发电器输出功率及效率的影响。结果表明,相变结构可提高发电器的输出功率及转化效率,且输出功率随冷凝段长度增加出现峰值,蒸发段管数越多,峰值对应的冷凝段长度越长,而发电效率则随冷凝段长度增加而减少;蒸发段管数增加,输出功率和发电效率均增大。     

基于余热回收的半导体温差发电模型及数值模拟

本文提出一种改进的半导体温差发电模型,在温差发电器热端加上矩形格栅,并将这种格栅近似看作黑体,同时进一步运用FLUENT软件对该半导体温差发电系统的流场、温度场进行了数值仿真计算,并对仿真结果进行分析。结果表明该模型确实能够提高温差发电器的热端温度、冷端与热端的温差,使大量余热得到有效的利用;冷热端的温差比无格栅时提高了49.33%。模拟结果还表明格栅的几何尺寸选取对温差发电器热端的温度及冷热端温差有一定的影响。     

海洋热能利用进展

海洋热能储量巨大,随时间变化相对稳定,具有广阔的开发利用前景。当前,海洋热能利用技术主要包括海洋温差能发电技术、海洋温差能制淡技术以及海水源热泵技术。发电技术要求海水温差不小于20℃,制淡技术要求海水温差不小于10℃,海水源热泵技术则在不同纬度地区、不同季节均能应用。本文重点分析了海洋温差能发电技术的3种循环方式,针对低温差导致低发电效率的问题,提出了利用太阳辐射加热温海水以提高温差和利用波浪能驱动泵以降低系统能耗两种提高发电效率的方法。     

发动机温差发电仿真系统研究

构建了车用发动机温差发电系统的数字仿真系统,仿真流程是：根据发动机的结构,采用AVL—BOOST软件对发动机的运行工况进行仿真,以获得的排气温度、压力、流速值作为温差发电计算的初始条件;建立温差发电器的几何模型,采用Star—CD软件对它的传热特性进行数值计算,获得转换元件的温度分布,进而可以计算得到温差电源的输出参数。文中针对某型号四冲程汽油机一内置式温差发电器系统,给出了计算实例。     

半导体温差发电技术在铝电解槽中的应用研究

介绍了铝电解槽的结构与散热特点,通过计算侧部散热量及测试槽壁热流密度与温度,对温差发电技术在铝电解过程中的应用可行性进行研究。根据电解槽结构特点和温差发电的要求,设计加工温差发电装置,并在电解槽上进行现场实验,对发电装置的输出功率、热电转换效率进行测试计算。数据表明,温差发电在铝电解中应用是可行的,为铝电解过程的节能探索一条新途径。     

Experiments and simulations on low-temperature waste heat harvesting system by thermoelectric power generators

In this case study, a system to recover waste heat comprised 24 thermoelectric generators (TEG) to convert heat from the exhaust pipe of an automobile to electrical energy has been constructed. Simulations and experiments for the thermoelectric module in this system are undertaken to assess the feasibility of these applications. A slopping block is designed on the basis of simulation results to uniform the interior thermal field that improves the performance of TEG modules. Besides simulations, the system is designed and assembled. Measurements followed the connection of the system to the middle of an exhaust pipe. Open circuit voltage and maximum power output of the system are characterized as a function of temperature difference. Through these simulations and experiments, the power generated with a commercial TEG module is presented. Overview this case study and our previous work, the results establish the fundamental development of low-temperature waste heat thermoelectric generator system that enhances the TEG efficiency for vehicles.     

Performance effect on the TEG system for waste heat recovery in automobiles using ZnO and SiO2 nanofluid coolants

Enhancement in heat transfer of the cold side is vital to amplify the performance of a thermoelectric generator (TEG). With enriched thermophysical properties of nanofluids, significant improvement in heat transfer process can be obtained. The current study concerns the performance comparison of an automobile waste heat recovery system with EG‐water (EG‐W) mixture, ZnO, and SiO₂ nanofluid as coolants for the TEG system. The effects on performance parameters, that is, circuit voltage, conversion efficiency, and output power with exhaust inlet temperature, the total area of TEG, Reynolds number, and particle concentration of nanofluids for the TEG system have been investigated. A detailed performance analysis revealed an increase in voltage, power output, and conversion efficiency of the TEG system with SiO ₂ nanofluid, followed by ZnO and EG‐W coolants. The electric power and conversion efficiency for SiO ₂ nanofluid at an exhaust inlet temperature of 500K were enhanced by 11.80% and 11.39% respectively, in comparison with EG‐W coolants. Moreover, the model speculates that an optimal total area of TEGs exists for the maximum power output of the system. With SiO ₂ nanofluid as a coolant, the total area of TEGs can be diminished by up to 34% as compared with EG‐W, which brings significant convenience for the placement of TEGs and reduces the cost of the TEG system.     

新型发动机排气温差发电器结构探索

根据汽车发动机排气可利用能量的形式,提出了一种新型的置于排气通道内的热电转换系统,使热电偶与热气流直接进行对流/辐射换热,将强化热流密度和转换电流密度、提高系统的温差。在使用现有热电材料的条件下,提高温差发电器的功率密度。     

High temperature solar thermoelectric generator

The performance of a sintered SiGe thermoelectric generator is assessed by computing power output per unit area and the efficiency of thermoelectric conversion. Previously developed high temperature solar energy absorbers were used. The power output and efficiency are considerably improved by using a water- or vapour-cooled heat sink in place of a radiative heat sink. The power density in the thermoelectric generator compares well with those in photovoltaic heterojunction cells using concentrated solar energy.     

Maximum power density analyses of a novel hybrid system based upon solid oxide fuel cells,vacuum thermionic generators and thermoelectric generators

Apart from electricity, solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) generates a great deal of high-grade exhaust heat, which must be immediately removed to guarantee SOFC's normal operation. To harvest the exhaust heat and improve the overall energy conversion efficiency, a new hybrid system model based upon a SOFC, a vacuum thermionic generator (VTIG) and a thermoelectric generator (TEG) is first proposed. Considering the main thermodynamic-electrochemical irreversible effects, the performance indicators assessing the whole system performance are mathematically derived. In comparison with the performance of sole SOFC, the effectiveness and feasibility of the presented system are verified. Numerical calculation examples illustrate that maximum achievable power density (MAPD) and its corresponding efficiency, exergetic efficiency and exergy destruction rate are, respectively, 26.8%, 9.8%, 9.8% and 8.8% larger than that of the stand-alone SOFC. Exhaustive sensitivity analyses are further conducted to investigate the impacts of various parameters on the tri-generation system performance. Results indicate that the grain size and average pore diameter of electrodes in SOFC and the thermoelectric element number in TEG can be optimized to maximize the hybrid system power density.     

Effect of heat exchanger material and fouling on thermoelectric exhaust heat recovery

Thermoelectric devices are being investigated as a means of improving fuel economy for diesel and gasoline vehicles through the conversion of wasted fuel energy, in the form of heat, to useable electricity. By capturing a small portion of the energy that is available with thermoelectric devices can reduce engine loads thus decreasing pollutant emissions, fuel consumption, and CO₂ to further reduce green house gas emissions. This study is conducted in an effort to better understand and improve the performance of thermoelectric heat recovery systems for automotive use. For this purpose an experimental investigation of thermoelectrics in contact with clean and fouled heat exchangers of different materials is performed. The thermoelectric devices are tested on a bench-scale thermoelectric heat recovery apparatus that simulates automotive exhaust. It is observed that for higher exhaust gas flowrates, thermoelectric power output increases from 2 to 3.8 W while overall system efficiency decreases from 0.95% to 0.6%. Degradation of the effectiveness of the EGR-type heat exchangers over a period of driving is also simulated by exposing the heat exchangers to diesel engine exhaust under thermophoretic conditions to form a deposit layer. For the fouled EGR-type heat exchangers, power output and system efficiency is observed to be 5-10% lower for all conditions tested.     

微小型热电转换装置冷热源的应用研究

微小型热电转换装置(Power MEMS)的质量/体积比功率除了与发电器性能有关外,还与热源和冷源的系统集成有关。分别采用液体高热值燃料、高贮能相变材料作为热源,用低温相变贮能材料作冷源,设计制造出热电转换装置,并通过实验测试进行了相关数据分析。分析了放射性同位素的优点和在热电发电中的应用现状,指出用其作为热源有助于热电装置的进一步微型化。实验结果也表明系统增加冷源助于装置微型化和提高热电输出功率。     

千瓦级空间堆热离子—碱金属混合式热电转换系统设计及性能

针对空间核电转换系统静态热电转换发电效率低的问题,设计开发了一种新型的热离子-碱金属混合发电系统。将热离子热电转换系统作为高温热源,配合碱金属热电转换系统耦合发电,通过建立耦合发电系统数理模型,研究了系统接收极功函数和系统电流密度对混合发电系统功率效率的影响。计算结果表明：热离子-碱金属混合发电系统较热离子热电转换系统发电效率提高约6.00%,较碱金属热电转换系统发电效率提高约10.00%,为静态热电转换系统的效率优化提供了理论依据。     

Parametric study of heat-transfer design on the thermoelectric generator system

This study developed an integral thermoelectric generator system with high-performance heat transfer and thermoelectric conversion functions, using the metal pin-fin array coupling with the forced convection heat transfer technique to be the heat absorber and heat sink. A one-dimensional steady heat conduction model with internal Joule heat generation and Seebeck effect was proposed to predict the power generation performance of the present thermoelectric system including the heat absorber and heat sink at various operation conditions. Critical heat-transfer parameters on the design of the integral thermoelectric generator system were derived and discussed. Finally, a series of systematical experiments were performed to simulate an integral thermoelectric generator system operating at the exhaust pipe. The experimental results also demonstrated the validity of the proposed theoretical model.     

Experimental investigation of a novel heat pipe thermoelectric generator for waste heat recovery and electricity generation

Waste heat recovery helps reduce energy consumption, decreases carbon emissions, and enhances sustainable energy development. In China, energy-intensive industries dominate the industrial sector and have significant potential for waste heat recovery. We propose a novel waste heat recovery system assisted by a heat pipe and thermoelectric generator (TEG) namely, heat pipe TEG (HPTEG)，to simultaneously recover waste heat and achieve electricity generation. Moreover, the HPTEG provides a good approach to bridging the mismatch between energy supply and demand. Based on the technical reserve on high-temperature heat pipe manufacturing and TEG device integration, a laboratory-scale HPTEG prototype was established to investigate the coupling performances of the heat pipes and TEGs. Static energy conversion and passive thermal transport were achieved with the assistance of skutterudite TEGs and potassium heat pipes. Based on the HPTEG prototype, the heat transfer and the thermoelectric conversion performances were investigated. Potassium heat pipes exhibited excellent heat transfer performance with 95% thermal efficiency. The isothermality of such a heat pipe was excellent, and the heat pipe temperature gradient was within 15°C. The TEG's thermoelectric conversion efficiency of 7.5% and HPTEG's prototype system thermoelectric conversion efficiency of 6.2% were achieved. When the TEG hot surface temperature reached 625°C, the maximum electrical output power of the TEG peaked at 183.2 W, and the open-circuit voltage reached 42.2 V. The high performances of the HPTEG prototype demonstrated the potential of the HPTEG for use in engineering applications.