IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v299y2024ics0360544224011952.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Research on the power generation performance and optimization of thermoelectric generators for recycling remaining cold energy

Author

Listed:
  • Cui, Xiangna
  • Chen, Xi
  • Gao, Zhongyang

Abstract

Compared with extensive research on the power generation of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) under medium-high temperatures, research on power generation for cold energy utilization is still limited. To study the performance and feasibility of low-temperature power generation, this paper combines simulation and experiments for research. Firstly, a simulation model based on actual material parameters is established. Then, a thermoelectric low-temperature power generation experimental platform is established to conduct experimental research on TEG in different temperature zones and temperature differences and compared with simulation results. Finally, optimization research is conducted by changing thermoelectric materials and structures. The research results indicate that the maximum errors between the dates of simulation and experiment in terms of output voltage, conversion efficiency, and exergy efficiency are 11.3 %, 10.57 %, and 10.57 %, respectively. Compared with Bi2Te3, the output voltage, conversion efficiency, and exergy efficiency of CsBi4Te6 are improved by 21.95 %, 34.64 %, and 34.64 %, respectively. The maximum output power and conversion efficiency are linearly related to the output current. The performance is optimal when the thermoelectric unit height is 1.0 mm and the side length is 1.6 mm. This proves the feasibility of TEG application at low temperatures and lays the foundation for low-temperature power generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Cui, Xiangna & Chen, Xi & Gao, Zhongyang, 2024. "Research on the power generation performance and optimization of thermoelectric generators for recycling remaining cold energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:299:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224011952
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.131422
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544224011952
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2024.131422?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. He, Tianbiao & Chong, Zheng Rong & Zheng, Junjie & Ju, Yonglin & Linga, Praveen, 2019. "LNG cold energy utilization: Prospects and challenges," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 557-568.
    2. Ranjbar, Hossein & Kazemi, Mostafa & Amjady, Nima & Zareipour, Hamidreza & Hosseini, Seyed Hamid, 2022. "Maximizing the utilization of existing grids for renewable energy integration," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 618-629.
    3. Zhang, Guoqiang & Zheng, Jiongzhi & Yang, Yongping & Liu, Wenyi, 2016. "A novel LNG cryogenic energy utilization method for inlet air cooling to improve the performance of combined cycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 638-649.
    4. Feng, Mengqi & Lv, Song & Deng, Jingcai & Guo, Ying & Wu, Yangyang & Shi, Guoqing & Zhang, Mingming, 2023. "An overview of environmental energy harvesting by thermoelectric generators," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    5. Sun, Zhixin & Lai, Jianpeng & Wang, Shujia & Wang, Tielong, 2018. "Thermodynamic optimization and comparative study of different ORC configurations utilizing the exergies of LNG and low grade heat of different temperatures," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 688-700.
    6. Weng, Chien-Chou & Lin, Ming-Chyuan & Huang, Mei-Jiau, 2016. "A waste cold recovery from the exhausted cryogenic nitrogen by using thermoelectric power generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 385-396.
    7. Sun, Xiuxiu & Liang, Xingyu & Shu, Gequn & Tian, Hua & Wei, Haiqiao & Wang, Xiangxiang, 2014. "Comparison of the two-stage and traditional single-stage thermoelectric generator in recovering the waste heat of the high temperature exhaust gas of internal combustion engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 489-498.
    8. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lin, Yen-Kuan & Luo, Ding & Jin, Liwen & Hoang, Anh Tuan & Saw, Lip Huat & Nižetić, Sandro, 2023. "Effects of material doping on the performance of thermoelectric generator with/without equal segments," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 350(C).
    9. Lan, Yuncheng & Lu, Junhui & Wang, Suilin, 2023. "Study of the geometry and structure of a thermoelectric leg with variable material properties and side heat dissipation based on thermodynamic, economic, and environmental analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    10. Gou, Xiaolong & Xiao, Heng & Yang, Suwen, 2010. "Modeling, experimental study and optimization on low-temperature waste heat thermoelectric generator system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(10), pages 3131-3136, October.
    11. Zhou, Binzhen & Hu, Jianjian & Wang, Yu & Jin, Peng & Jing, Fengmei & Ning, Dezhi, 2023. "Coupled dynamic and power generation characteristics of a hybrid system consisting of a semi-submersible wind turbine and an array of heaving wave energy converters," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 23-38.
    12. Zhang, Tongtong & She, Xiaohui & You, Zhanping & Zhao, Yanqi & Fan, Hongjun & Ding, Yulong, 2022. "Cryogenic thermoelectric generation using cold energy from a decoupled liquid air energy storage system for decentralised energy networks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(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. Zhu, Yu & Li, Jiamei & Ge, Minghui & Gu, Hai & Wang, Shixue, 2023. "Numerical and experimental study of a non-frosting thermoelectric generation device for low temperature waste heat recovery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 352(C).
    2. She, Xiaohui & Zhang, Tongtong & Cong, Lin & Peng, Xiaodong & Li, Chuan & Luo, Yimo & Ding, Yulong, 2019. "Flexible integration of liquid air energy storage with liquefied natural gas regasification for power generation enhancement," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C), pages 1-1.
    3. Qi, Meng & Park, Jinwoo & Lee, Inkyu & Moon, Il, 2022. "Liquid air as an emerging energy vector towards carbon neutrality: A multi-scale systems perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    4. Huang, Z.F. & Wan, Y.D. & Soh, K.Y. & Islam, M.R. & Chua, K.J., 2022. "Off-design and flexibility analyses of combined cooling and power based liquified natural gas (LNG) cold energy utilization system under fluctuating regasification rates," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 310(C).
    5. Li, Yongyi & Liu, Yujia & Zhang, Guoqiang & Yang, Yongping, 2020. "Thermodynamic analysis of a novel combined cooling and power system utilizing liquefied natural gas (LNG) cryogenic energy and low-temperature waste heat," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    6. Tian, Hua & Sun, Xiuxiu & Jia, Qi & Liang, Xingyu & Shu, Gequn & Wang, Xu, 2015. "Comparison and parameter optimization of a segmented thermoelectric generator by using the high temperature exhaust of a diesel engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 121-130.
    7. Zhang, Tongtong & She, Xiaohui & You, Zhanping & Zhao, Yanqi & Fan, Hongjun & Ding, Yulong, 2022. "Cryogenic thermoelectric generation using cold energy from a decoupled liquid air energy storage system for decentralised energy networks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    8. Sermsuk, Maytungkorn & Sukjai, Yanin & Wiboonrat, Montri & Kiatkittipong, Kunlanan, 2022. "Feasibility study of a combined system of electricity generation and cooling from liquefied natural gas to reduce the electricity cost of data centres," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PA).
    9. Ge, Minghui & Li, Zhenhua & Wang, Yeting & Zhao, Yulong & Zhu, Yu & Wang, Shixue & Liu, Liansheng, 2021. "Experimental study on thermoelectric power generation based on cryogenic liquid cold energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    10. He, Tianbiao & Zhang, Jibao & Mao, Ning & Linga, Praveen, 2021. "Organic Rankine cycle integrated with hydrate-based desalination for a sustainable energy–water nexus system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 291(C).
    11. Hsu, Ping-Chia & Saragih, Ahmad Abror & Huang, Mei-Jiau & Juang, Jia-Yang, 2022. "New machine functions using waste heat recovery: A case study of atmospheric pressure plasma jet," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PD).
    12. Kunlin Cheng & Yu Feng & Chuanwen Lv & Silong Zhang & Jiang Qin & Wen Bao, 2017. "Performance Evaluation of Waste Heat Recovery Systems Based on Semiconductor Thermoelectric Generators for Hypersonic Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-16, April.
    13. He, Tianbiao & Chong, Zheng Rong & Zheng, Junjie & Ju, Yonglin & Linga, Praveen, 2019. "LNG cold energy utilization: Prospects and challenges," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 557-568.
    14. Chen, Kang & Han, Zihao & Fan, Gang & Zhang, Yicen & Yu, Haibin & Dai, Yiping, 2023. "Optimum design point exploration and performance analysis of a novel CO2 power generation system for LNG cold energy recovery: Considering the temperature fluctuation of heat source," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    15. Daniarta, S. & Sowa, D. & Błasiak, P. & Imre, A.R. & Kolasiński, P., 2024. "Techno-economic survey of enhancing Power-to-Methane efficiency via waste heat recovery from electrolysis and biomethanation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    16. Fang, Zhenhua & Pan, Zhen & Ma, Guiyang & Yu, Jingxian & Shang, Liyan & Zhang, Zhien, 2023. "Exergoeconomic, exergoenvironmental analysis and multi-objective optimization of a novel combined cooling, heating and power system for liquefied natural gas cold energy recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    17. Huang, Z.F. & Soh, K.Y. & Wan, Y.D. & Islam, M.R. & Chua, K.J., 2022. "Assessment of an intermediate working medium and cold energy storage (IWM-CES) system for LNG cold energy utilization under real regasification case," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    18. Zhang, Houcheng & Xu, Haoran & Chen, Bin & Dong, Feifei & Ni, Meng, 2017. "Two-stage thermoelectric generators for waste heat recovery from solid oxide fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 280-288.
    19. Tian, Zhen & Qi, Zhixin & Gan, Wanlong & Tian, Molin & Gao, Wenzhong, 2022. "A novel negative carbon-emission, cooling, and power generation system based on combined LNG regasification and waste heat recovery: Energy, exergy, economic, environmental (4E) evaluations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    20. Choi, Hong Wone & Na, Sun-Ik & Hong, Sung Bin & Chung, Yoong & Kim, Dong Kyu & Kim, Min Soo, 2021. "Optimal design of organic Rankine cycle recovering LNG cold energy with finite heat exchanger size," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(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:energy:v:299:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224011952. 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.