Publication: Combustion-based thermoelectric power generation incorporating heat recirculation porous inert media
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Date
2024-07-04
Authors
Foo, Sin Khai
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Abstract
In the quest for sustainable and efficient energy solutions, the integration of waste heat recovery systems has garnered significant attention. Thermoelectric power generation (TEG), which directly converts thermal energy into electrical energy, stands out due to its potential to utilize waste heat from sources like internal combustion engines, industrial processes, and power plants. However, traditional thermoelectric generators often struggle with maintaining the required temperature gradients for optimal performance, typically operating around 573K, which limits their efficiency. This study investigates the impact of incorporating porous media in combustion on thermoelectric power generation efficiency. A porous media combustor with a swirl generator at the air intake was designed, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations using ANSYS Fluent were conducted to understand the combustion regime and ensure the wall temperature remains within the operational limits of the thermoelectric device. Various parameters, including air-fuel ratios, mass flow rates, porosity, length of porous media, and fuel types, were examined for their effects on conversion efficiency. Additionally, thermoelectric power conversion simulations were performed using ANSYS Mechanical Thermal-Electric to determine conversion efficiency, electrical power output, and total voltage output. The findings indicate that the length of the porous media significantly impacts conversion efficiency, with an 800mm porous media length achieving a conversion efficiency of 0.288%, an electrical output power of 5.56 W, and a total electrical voltage output of 184.3 V. Hydrogen fuel also demonstrated high efficiency, achieving a conversion efficiency of 0.264%, an electrical output power of 3.79 W, and a total electrical voltage output of 148 V. Hence, this study concludes that increasing the extent of the combustion region with porous media enhances conversion efficiency and electrical output, and using hydrogen as fuel substantially improves the performance of thermoelectric generators (TEGs).