IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v352y2023ics0306261923012497.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Pioneering sustainable power: Harnessing material innovations in double stage segmented thermoelectric generators for optimal 4E performance

Author

Listed:
  • Alghamdi, Hisham
  • Maduabuchi, Chika
  • Okoli, Kingsley
  • Albaker, Abdullah
  • Makki, Emad
  • Alghassab, Mohammed
  • Alobaid, Mohammad
  • Alkhedher, Mohammad

Abstract

This study presents groundbreaking advancements in sustainable power through a comprehensive exploration of double-stage segmented thermoelectric generators (DSSTEGs) optimized for efficient solar energy conversion. Specifically comparing DSSTEGs with other solar thermoelectric generator (STEG) configurations through geometry parametric optimization, we elucidate the intricate interplay between material properties and design parameters using a finite element method-driven numerical approach. The focus is on achieving 4E optimization (energy, exergy, environmental, and economic factors). Our results demonstrate that a skutterudite content of 6.17% maximizes DSSTEG performance, showcasing its superiority over conventional STEGs. The optimized DSSTEG excels with remarkable CO2 savings of 23.78 kgyr−1 and an impressive high output power of 50.08 W at the optimal skutterudite content. Moreover, the DSSTEG design demonstrates a balanced cost-effectiveness with an outstanding $0.05 per watt output, surpassing conventional STEGs' cost-efficiency. These findings offer a pragmatic framework for integrating innovative materials and optimized designs in concentrated solar energy applications, signifying a significant stride in the field of thermoelectric generators. The pivotal role of materials and design in defining and optimizing performance for enhanced solar energy conversion is highlighted, propelling the path towards a more sustainable and efficient energy future.

Suggested Citation

  • Alghamdi, Hisham & Maduabuchi, Chika & Okoli, Kingsley & Albaker, Abdullah & Makki, Emad & Alghassab, Mohammed & Alobaid, Mohammad & Alkhedher, Mohammad, 2023. "Pioneering sustainable power: Harnessing material innovations in double stage segmented thermoelectric generators for optimal 4E performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 352(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:352:y:2023:i:c:s0306261923012497
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121885
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261923012497
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121885?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kossyvakis, D.N. & Vossou, C.G. & Provatidis, C.G. & Hristoforou, E.V., 2015. "Computational analysis and performance optimization of a solar thermoelectric generator," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 150-161.
    2. Guo, Xinru & Zhang, Houcheng & Wang, Jiatang & Zhao, Jiapei & Wang, Fu & Miao, He & Yuan, Jinliang & Hou, Shujin, 2020. "A new hybrid system composed of high-temperature proton exchange fuel cell and two-stage thermoelectric generator with Thomson effect: Energy and exergy analyses," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    3. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Chiou, Yi-Bin, 2020. "Geometry design for maximizing output power of segmented skutterudite thermoelectric generator by evolutionary computation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    4. Ahmadi Atouei, Saeed & Ranjbar, Ali Akbar & Rezania, Alireza, 2017. "Experimental investigation of two-stage thermoelectric generator system integrated with phase change materials," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 332-343.
    5. Sun, Henan & Ge, Ya & Liu, Wei & Liu, Zhichun, 2019. "Geometric optimization of two-stage thermoelectric generator using genetic algorithms and thermodynamic analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 37-48.
    6. Sahoo, Rashmi Rekha & Karana, Dhruv Raj, 2020. "Effect of design shape factor on exergonic performance of a new modified extended-tapering segmented thermoelectric generator system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    7. Weng, Zebin & Liu, Furong & Zhu, Wenchao & Li, Yang & Xie, Changjun & Deng, Jian & Huang, Liang, 2022. "Performance improvement of variable-angle annular thermoelectric generators considering different boundary conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PA).
    8. Ali, Haider & Yilbas, Bekir Sami & Al-Sulaiman, Fahad A., 2016. "Segmented thermoelectric generator: Influence of pin shape configuration on the device performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 439-452.
    9. Ge, Ya & Lin, Yousheng & He, Qing & Wang, Wenhao & Chen, Jiechao & Huang, Si-Min, 2021. "Geometric optimization of segmented thermoelectric generators for waste heat recovery systems using genetic algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    10. Mohammad Siddique, Abu Raihan & Mahmud, Shohel & Van Heyst, Bill, 2020. "Performance comparison between rectangular and trapezoidal-shaped thermoelectric legs manufactured by a dispenser printing technique," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Yang, Wenlong & Jin, Chenchen & Zhu, Wenchao & Xie, Changjun & Huang, Liang & Li, Yang & Xiong, Binyu, 2024. "Innovative design for thermoelectric power generation: Two-stage thermoelectric generator with variable twist ratio twisted tapes optimizing maximum output," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 363(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Shittu, Samson & Li, Guiqiang & Xuan, Qindong & Zhao, Xudong & Ma, Xiaoli & Cui, Yu, 2020. "Electrical and mechanical analysis of a segmented solar thermoelectric generator under non-uniform heat flux," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    2. Harb, Abd El-Moneim A. & Elsayed, Khairy & Sedrak, Momtaz & Ahmed, Mahmoud & Abdo, Ahmed, 2024. "Enhancing the performance of thermoelectric generators using novel segmental arrangement of multi-functional gradient materials," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    3. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Wang, Chi-Ming & Lee, Da-Sheng & Kwon, Eilhann E. & Ashokkumar, Veeramuthu & Culaba, Alvin B., 2022. "Optimization design by evolutionary computation for minimizing thermal stress of a thermoelectric generator with varied numbers of square pin fins," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    4. Sahoo, Rashmi Rekha & Karana, Dhruv Raj, 2020. "Effect of design shape factor on exergonic performance of a new modified extended-tapering segmented thermoelectric generator system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    5. Maduabuchi, Chika, 2022. "Thermo-mechanical optimization of thermoelectric generators using deep learning artificial intelligence algorithms fed with verified finite element simulation data," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    6. Alghamdi, Hisham & Maduabuchi, Chika & Okoli, Kingsley & Albaker, Abdullah & Alatawi, Ibrahim & Alghassab, Mohammed & Albalawi, Hind & Alkhedher, Mohammad, 2024. "Performance optimization of nanofluid-cooled photovoltaic-thermoelectric systems: A study on geometry configuration, steady-state and annual transient effects," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 296(C).
    7. Chika Maduabuchi & Hassan Fagehi & Ibrahim Alatawi & Mohammad Alkhedher, 2022. "Predicting the Optimal Performance of a Concentrated Solar Segmented Variable Leg Thermoelectric Generator Using Neural Networks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-25, August.
    8. Maduabuchi, Chika & Eneh, Chibuoke & Alrobaian, Abdulrahman Abdullah & Alkhedher, Mohammad, 2023. "Deep neural networks for quick and precise geometry optimization of segmented thermoelectric generators," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PC).
    9. Ding, L.C. & Akbarzadeh, A. & Tan, L., 2018. "A review of power generation with thermoelectric system and its alternative with solar ponds," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 799-812.
    10. Shicheng Wang & Chenyi Xu & Wei Liu & Zhichun Liu, 2019. "Numerical Study on Heat Transfer Performance in Packed Bed," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-22, January.
    11. Han, Yuan & Zhang, Houcheng & Hu, Ziyang & Hou, Shujin, 2021. "An efficient hybrid system using a graphene-based cathode vacuum thermionic energy converter to harvest the waste heat from a molten hydroxide direct carbon fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    12. Wang, Chenfang & Li, Qingshan & Wang, Chunmei & Zhang, Yangjun & Zhuge, Weilin, 2021. "Thermodynamic analysis of a hydrogen fuel cell waste heat recovery system based on a zeotropic organic Rankine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    13. Ge, Ya & Lin, Yousheng & He, Qing & Wang, Wenhao & Chen, Jiechao & Huang, Si-Min, 2021. "Geometric optimization of segmented thermoelectric generators for waste heat recovery systems using genetic algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    14. Rezania, A. & Rosendahl, L.A., 2017. "Feasibility and parametric evaluation of hybrid concentrated photovoltaic-thermoelectric system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 380-389.
    15. Jia, Xiao-Dong & Wang, Yuan-Jing & Gao, Yuan-Wen, 2017. "Numerical simulation of thermoelectric performance of linear-shaped thermoelectric generators under transient heat supply," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 276-285.
    16. Twaha, Ssennoga & Zhu, Jie & Yan, Yuying & Li, Bo, 2016. "A comprehensive review of thermoelectric technology: Materials, applications, modelling and performance improvement," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 698-726.
    17. Mahmoudinezhad, S. & Rezania, A. & Cotfas, P.A. & Cotfas, D.T. & Rosendahl, L.A., 2019. "Transient behavior of concentrated solar oxide thermoelectric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 823-832.
    18. Cheng, Kunlin & Qin, Jiang & Zhang, Duo & Bao, Wen & Jing, Wuxing, 2022. "Performance evaluation for a combined power generation system of closed-Brayton-cycle and thermoelectric generator with finite cold source at room temperature on hypersonic vehicles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PC).
    19. Meysam Karami Rad & Mahmoud Omid & Ali Rajabipour & Fariba Tajabadi & Lasse Aistrup Rosendahl & Alireza Rezaniakolaei, 2018. "Optimum Thermal Concentration of Solar Thermoelectric Generators (STEG) in Realistic Meteorological Condition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-16, September.
    20. Shi, Zijie & Zhang, Kai & Jiang, Kaiyu & Li, Haoran & Ye, Peiliang & Yang, Haibin & Mahian, Omid, 2023. "Maximizing energy generation: A study of radiative cooling-based thermoelectric power devices," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:352:y:2023:i:c:s0306261923012497. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.