IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v293y2024ics0360544224003463.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A thermal conductivity varying 3D numerical model for parametric study of a silicon-based nano thermoelectric generator

Author

Listed:
  • Jia, Yuan
  • Wang, Baojie
  • Tian, Jinpeng
  • Song, Qiuming
  • Chen, Yulong
  • Zhang, Wenwei
  • Wang, Cheng
  • Sun, Hao
  • Zhang, Zhixing

Abstract

This paper employs a novel approach, integrating a two-step Fuch-Sondheimer reduction method with the phonon relaxation approximation method, to comprehensively study the structural design of silicon-based thermocouples for enhanced thermoelectric generator performance. The analysis provides the detailed information regarding the size and temperature-dependent thermal conductivity for various silicon nanostructures, facilitating the construction of a 3D numerical simulation model. Doping concentration and temperature dependent electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and contact resistance were incorporated into the model as well. This enables the 3D model to incorporate adjustments made to the thermocouple structure and initialization conditions, allowing for automatic numerical computation of the generator's specific power density and providing a more thorough understanding of its behavior. To validate the model, experimental data from the literature is employed. The results highlight the significance of thermocouple packing fraction as a determining factor for maximizing device performance. Also, a strategic structural design approach is recommended to achieve a balance between thermocouple thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, and electrical resistance, thus improving the overall performance. Based on the model predictions, with a thermocouple thickness of 2 μm, a width of 60 nm, a specific power density of approximately 16.2 μW/cm2.K2 is projected. These findings demonstrate the potential applicability of silicon-based thermoelectric generators for effective heat recycling from electronic devices.

Suggested Citation

  • Jia, Yuan & Wang, Baojie & Tian, Jinpeng & Song, Qiuming & Chen, Yulong & Zhang, Wenwei & Wang, Cheng & Sun, Hao & Zhang, Zhixing, 2024. "A thermal conductivity varying 3D numerical model for parametric study of a silicon-based nano thermoelectric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:293:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224003463
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.130574
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544224003463
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2024.130574?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. Aljaghtham, Mutabe & Celik, Emrah, 2022. "Design of cascade thermoelectric generation systems with improved thermal reliability," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    2. Fan, Shifa & Gao, Yuanwen, 2018. "Numerical simulation on thermoelectric and mechanical performance of annular thermoelectric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 38-48.
    3. Ge, Ya & Liu, Zhichun & Sun, Henan & Liu, Wei, 2018. "Optimal design of a segmented thermoelectric generator based on three-dimensional numerical simulation and multi-objective genetic algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 1060-1069.
    4. Wang, Xuejian & Qi, Ji & Deng, Wei & Li, Gongping & Gao, Xudong & He, Luanxuan & Zhang, Shixu, 2021. "An optimized design approach concerning thermoelectric generators with frustum-shaped legs based on three-dimensional multiphysics model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    5. Ruchika Dhawan & Prabuddha Madusanka & Gangyi Hu & Jeff Debord & Toan Tran & Kenneth Maggio & Hal Edwards & Mark Lee, 2020. "Si0.97Ge0.03 microelectronic thermoelectric generators with high power and voltage densities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
    6. Jilte, Ravindra & Afzal, Asif & Panchal, Satyam, 2021. "A novel battery thermal management system using nano-enhanced phase change materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    7. Yin, Tao & Li, Zhen-Ming & Peng, Peng & Liu, Wei & Shao, Yu-Ying & He, Zhi-Zhu, 2021. "Performance analysis and design optimization of a compact thermoelectric generator with T-Shaped configuration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Ye-Qi Zhang & Jiao Sun & Guang-Xu Wang & Tian-Hu Wang, 2022. "Advantage of a Thermoelectric Generator with Hybridization of Segmented Materials and Irregularly Variable Cross-Section Design," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.
    2. 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).
    3. Xu, Aoqi & Xie, Changjun & Xie, Liping & Zhu, Wenchao & Xiong, Binyu & Gooi, Hoay Beng, 2024. "Performance prediction and optimization of annular thermoelectric generators based on a comprehensive surrogate model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    4. Yusuf, Aminu & Ballikaya, Sedat, 2022. "Electrical, thermomechanical and cost analyses of a low-cost thermoelectric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    5. Huang, Xiao-Yan & Zhou, Ze-Yu & Shu, Zheng-Yu & Cai, Yang & Lv, You & Wang, Wei-Wei & Zhao, Fu-Yun, 2024. "A phase change material based annular thermoelectric energy harvester from ambient temperature fluctuations: Transient modeling and critical characteristics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    6. Yang, Huizhu & Li, Mingxuan & Wang, Zehui & Ren, Fengsheng & Yang, Yue & Ma, Bijian & Zhu, Yonggang, 2023. "Performance optimization for a novel two-stage thermoelectric generator with different PCMs embedding modes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    7. Shittu, Samson & Li, Guiqiang & Zhao, Xudong & Ma, Xiaoli, 2020. "Review of thermoelectric geometry and structure optimization for performance enhancement," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    8. Guo, Rui & Zhuo, Kai & Li, Qiang & Wang, Tao & Sang, Shengbo & Zhang, Hulin, 2023. "Triboelectric-electromagnetic hybrid generator assisted by a shape memory alloy wire for water quality monitoring and waste heat collecting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    9. 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).
    10. Aljaghtham, Mutabe & Celik, Emrah, 2022. "Design of cascade thermoelectric generation systems with improved thermal reliability," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    11. Shu, Gequn & Ma, Xiaonan & Tian, Hua & Yang, Haoqi & Chen, Tianyu & Li, Xiaoya, 2018. "Configuration optimization of the segmented modules in an exhaust-based thermoelectric generator for engine waste heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 612-624.
    12. 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.
    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. Chun-I Wu & Kung-Wen Du & Yu-Hsuan Tu, 2024. "Enhanced Energy Harvesting from Thermoelectric Modules: Strategic Manipulation of Element Quantity and Geometry for Optimized Power Output," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-17, October.
    15. Lalan K. Singh & Anoop K. Gupta, 2023. "Hybrid cooling-based lithium-ion battery thermal management for electric vehicles," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 3627-3648, April.
    16. Chen, Lingen & Lorenzini, Giulio, 2023. "Heating load, COP and exergetic efficiency optimizations for TEG-TEH combined thermoelectric device with Thomson effect and external heat transfer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    17. Song, Kun & Yin, Deshun & Song, Haopeng & Schiavone, Peter & Wu, Xun & Yuan, Lili, 2022. "Seeking high energy conversion efficiency in a fully temperature-dependent thermoelectric medium," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PE).
    18. Lyudmyla Vikhor & Maxim Kotsur, 2023. "Evaluation of Efficiency for Miniscale Thermoelectric Converter under the Influence of Electrical and Thermal Resistance of Contacts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-22, May.
    19. Chenyi Xu & Zhichun Liu & Shicheng Wang & Wei Liu, 2019. "Numerical Simulation and Optimization of Waste Heat Recovery in a Sinter Vertical Tank," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, January.
    20. Hong Shi & Mengmeng Cheng & Yi Feng & Chenghui Qiu & Caiyue Song & Nenglin Yuan & Chuanzhi Kang & Kaijie Yang & Jie Yuan & Yonghao Li, 2023. "Thermal Management Techniques for Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Phase Change Materials: A Systematic Review and Prospective Recommendations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-23, January.

    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:energy:v:293:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224003463. 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.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    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.