Modeling and Optimization of Heat Exchanger in Automotive Exhaust Thermoelectric Generator Based on Fluid Kinematics

Abstract

The HE (heat exchanger) of automotive exhaust TEG (thermoelectric generator) plays a vital role in converting thermal energy into electrical energy, therefore achieves the goal of energy conservation and emission reduction. A new regular-octagon HE is modeled and simulated in FLUENT to obtain the velocity path-lines of fluid. Through simulation results, the velocity path-line is tracked and analyzed, in order to evaluate the fluid resistance and fluid turbulence intensity. By using control variable method, a variety of HE models with different structural parameters are modeled and simulated, to optimize the structure of HE. Eventually, it is intended to design a HE with proper fluid resistance and remarkable turbulence intensity.