Modelling And Simulation Of Flexible Microfluidic-Integrated Micro Thermoeletric Generator

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dc.contributor.authorHeng, Yeh En
dc.date.accessioned2017-10-31T07:20:46Z
dc.date.available2017-10-31T07:20:46Z
dc.date.issued2014-08
dc.description.abstractThe potential of a micro thermoelectric generator (μTEG) which harvest energy from small temperature difference is preeminent among public concerns. The conventional μTEG gave considerable insight into different employment of materials and structural modification to enhance the thermal efficiency and output performance of the generator. In effort to increase the output power, the manipulation of heat source becomes the solitary necessity for a given structural design of μTEG. This thesis presents the design optimization of an emerging concept with the employment of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channel as the heat sink with the silicone oil which has wide working temperature as the working fluid in the thermoelectric generator. This combination shows its superiority particularly when the heat source experiences inconsiderable temperature changes. Unlike in conventional μTEG, integration of microfluidic system into the generator allows the manipulation of both the heat source and heat sink, thereby the output power can be increased significantly. The efforts to predict the optimized performance of the model are based on the length of thermo-elements, channel geometry and fluid flow rate by using COVENTORWARE, GAMBIT and FLUENT. Analyses were first carried out by optimizing the thermoelectric elements by varying the length of the thermopiles until the most appropriate length with appreciable integration density was obtained. After the optimum length was established, the effects of the channel geometry were discussed in detail, and emphasis was placed on the hydrodynamic and thermal development of the flow. The corresponding output power and pumping power were calculated to predict the best channel dimension. As the geometry optimization of the thermoelectric elements and channel were introduced, particular attention was given to the suitable flow rates for the working fluid to make sure positive net power was accomplished. The ultimate decision derived from the numerical simulations exhibit that an optimized microfluidic-integrated μTEG should possess thermocouple length of 36 μm, channel cross-section of 50 μm x 50 μm and the range of applicability of the flow rate must be within the range of 0.05 m/s. The recommended best range for the working fluid is within 0.057 m/s while voltage efficiency factor (φv) as high as 11.752 V/cm2 K and power efficiency factor (φp) as high as 0.2377 μW/cm2 K2 could be obtained at the optimum fluid velocity of 0.03 m/s. The simulation results of the optimized μTEG shows the potential increment of φv and φp compared to the conventional μTEG and its flexibility also allows wider scope of applications.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/5192
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUniversiti Sains Malaysiaen_US
dc.subjectModelling and simulation of flexibleen_US
dc.subjectmicrofluidic-integrateden_US
dc.titleModelling And Simulation Of Flexible Microfluidic-Integrated Micro Thermoeletric Generatoren_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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Pusat Pengajian Kejuruteraaan Elektrik dan Elektronik - Tesis