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The Influence of a Dispersion Cone on the Temperature Distribution in the Heat Exchanger of a Thermoelectric Generator

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Abstract

This paper presents the results of a numerical simulation of heat distribution in the heat exchanger of a prototype thermoelectric generator constructed and examined in the Thermoelectric Research Laboratory in AGH University, Cracow, Poland. The area of interest was to prepare a numerical model and determine the influence of a dispersion cone on the temperature distribution along the heat exchanger. The role of a dispersion element is to mix the air stream to improve the flow between the internal heat exchanger’s fins in order to enhance heat exchange. The estimation of power output parameters and exchanger efficiency has been performed in order to assess the cone impact for three selected air inlet temperatures. The results show that the presence of the cone increases the efficiency of the thermoelectric generator by at least 25%.

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Abbreviations

P :

Electrical power (W)

PR:

Power ratio (–)

R opt :

Optimum module electrical resistance (Ω)

T in :

Air inlet temperature (K)

T out :

Air outlet temperature (K)

T H :

Module hot side temperature (K)

T C :

Module cold side temperature (K)

T i :

Hot side temperature at position i (K)

U :

Output voltage (V)

α :

Seebeck coefficient (V K−1)

ΔT :

T H – T C

η e :

Heat exchanger efficiency

CF:

Model with the cone at the front of the heat exchanger

CB:

Model with the cone at the back of the heat exchanger

WC:

Model without cone

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Thermal Engineering and Fluid Flow, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Cracow, Poland

    M. MusiaŁ & M. Borcuch

  2. Thermoelectric Research Laboratory, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Cracow, Poland

    K. Wojciechowski

Authors
  1. M. MusiaŁ
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  2. M. Borcuch
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  3. K. Wojciechowski
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Correspondence to M. MusiaŁ.

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MusiaŁ, M., Borcuch, M. & Wojciechowski, K. The Influence of a Dispersion Cone on the Temperature Distribution in the Heat Exchanger of a Thermoelectric Generator. J. Electron. Mater. 45, 1517–1522 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-015-4090-0

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