Development of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Numerical Approach of Thermoelectric Module for Power Generation

Abstract

The recent innovations in thermoelectric generating materials have led to exceptional technologies that generate power from excess and lost heat. These technologies have proven to be of significant environmental and economic importance, especially with global warming issues and escalating fuel prices. This study developed a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for a thermoelectric generator (TEG) consisting of five TEG modules embedded between two aluminum blocks. The upper block collects solar energy and heats the hot side of the modules. The lower block has an internal M-shaped water channel to cool the cold side of the modules. The model predictions were compared with the authors’ previously published experimental results to assess its validity and reliability. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the effects of various solar collector block thicknesses and different water flow velocities on the TEG-generated voltage and efficiency. The results show excellent agreement between the model predictions and the experimental data. Moreover, the parametric study revealed a slight inverse relationship between the thickness of the solar-collecting mass, the efficiency of the system, and an increase in the heat flux. However, the relationship was proportional to the velocity of water flow.