IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v15y2022i8p2781-d791152.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Structural Optimization of Heat Sink for Thermoelectric Conversion Unit in Personal Comfort System

Author

Listed:
  • Wenping Xue

    (School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Xiao Cao

    (School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Guangfa Zhang

    (School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Gang Tan

    (Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA)

  • Zilong Liu

    (School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Kangji Li

    (School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

Abstract

Based on the research background of improving personal thermal comfort and promoting building energy efficiency, personal comfort systems (PCSs) have recently received considerable attention. The thermoelectric conversion unit (TECU) has great potential in PCSs as it is compact in size, environmentally friendly and highly reliable. Aiming to improve heat exchange efficiency, this paper investigates the structural optimization of heat sink for the TECU used in PCSs. Firstly, the heat exchange mechanism of the thermoelectric module is analyzed. The structural design of the cold-side heat sink in the TECU is summarized as a multiobjective optimization problem in which four structural parameters (number of fin rows, fin thickness, fin height and thickness of base) of the heat sink are selected as the adjusting variables. Then, based on the establishment of the cold-side computational fluid dynamics simulation model, a multiobjective genetic algorithm is utilized for the optimization task. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates that the number of rows and the fin thickness have significant influence on the optimization objectives. Taking both the outlet airflow temperature and the velocity into consideration, five representative heat sinks involving two different materials are customized. A testing platform is built for performance comparison. Results show that the proposed optimization method can effectively improve the heat exchange efficiency of a TECU, which provides a reference for the TECU-based PCS design.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenping Xue & Xiao Cao & Guangfa Zhang & Gang Tan & Zilong Liu & Kangji Li, 2022. "Structural Optimization of Heat Sink for Thermoelectric Conversion Unit in Personal Comfort System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:8:p:2781-:d:791152
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/8/2781/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/8/2781/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chaudhuri, Tanaya & Soh, Yeng Chai & Li, Hua & Xie, Lihua, 2019. "A feedforward neural network based indoor-climate control framework for thermal comfort and energy saving in buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C), pages 44-53.
    2. Behzad ranjbar, & Mehrpooya, Mehdi & Marefati, Mohammad, 2021. "Parametric design and performance evaluation of a novel solar assisted thermionic generator and thermoelectric device hybrid system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 194-210.
    3. Konak, Abdullah & Coit, David W. & Smith, Alice E., 2006. "Multi-objective optimization using genetic algorithms: A tutorial," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 91(9), pages 992-1007.
    4. Yang, Liu & Yan, Haiyan & Lam, Joseph C., 2014. "Thermal comfort and building energy consumption implications – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 164-173.
    5. Zhao, Dongliang & Lu, Xing & Fan, Tianzhu & Wu, Yuen Shing & Lou, Lun & Wang, Qiuwang & Fan, Jintu & Yang, Ronggui, 2018. "Personal thermal management using portable thermoelectrics for potential building energy saving," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C), pages 282-291.
    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. Chaudhuri, Tanaya & Soh, Yeng Chai & Li, Hua & Xie, Lihua, 2019. "A feedforward neural network based indoor-climate control framework for thermal comfort and energy saving in buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C), pages 44-53.
    2. Kristian Fabbri & Jacopo Gaspari & Laura Vandi, 2019. "Indoor Thermal Comfort of Pregnant Women in Hospital: A Case Study Evidence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-24, November.
    3. Hossein Moayedi & Bao Le Van, 2022. "Feasibility of Harris Hawks Optimization in Combination with Fuzzy Inference System Predicting Heating Load Energy Inside Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-17, December.
    4. Gupta, Pankaj & Mittal, Garima & Mehlawat, Mukesh Kumar, 2013. "Expected value multiobjective portfolio rebalancing model with fuzzy parameters," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 190-203.
    5. Weifan Zhong & Lijing Du, 2023. "Predicting Traffic Casualties Using Support Vector Machines with Heuristic Algorithms: A Study Based on Collision Data of Urban Roads," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-18, February.
    6. Juana Isabel Méndez & Adán Medina & Pedro Ponce & Therese Peffer & Alan Meier & Arturo Molina, 2022. "Evolving Gamified Smart Communities in Mexico to Save Energy in Communities through Intelligent Interfaces," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-29, July.
    7. Ebrahim Morady & Madjid Soltani & Farshad Moradi Kashkooli & Masoud Ziabasharhagh & Armughan Al-Haq & Jatin Nathwani, 2022. "Improving Energy Efficiency by Utilizing Wetted Cellulose Pads in Passive Cooling Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, January.
    8. Hinker, Jonas & Hemkendreis, Christian & Drewing, Emily & März, Steven & Hidalgo Rodríguez, Diego I. & Myrzik, Johanna M.A., 2017. "A novel conceptual model facilitating the derivation of agent-based models for analyzing socio-technical optimality gaps in the energy domain," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 1219-1230.
    9. Cai, Yuhao & Qian, Xin & Su, Ruihang & Jia, Xiongjie & Ying, Jinhui & Zhao, Tianshou & Jiang, Haoran, 2024. "Thermo-electrochemical modeling of thermally regenerative flow batteries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 355(C).
    10. Cui, Can & Zhang, Xin & Cai, Wenjian, 2020. "An energy-saving oriented air balancing method for demand controlled ventilation systems with branch and black-box model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    11. Ahmadi, Mohammad H. & Amin Nabakhteh, Mohammad & Ahmadi, Mohammad-Ali & Pourfayaz, Fathollah & Bidi, Mokhtar, 2017. "Investigation and optimization of performance of nano-scale Stirling refrigerator using working fluid as Maxwell–Boltzmann gases," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 483(C), pages 337-350.
    12. Hausken, Kjell & Levitin, Gregory, 2009. "Minmax defense strategy for complex multi-state systems," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 94(2), pages 577-587.
    13. Picallo-Perez, Ana & Catrini, Pietro & Piacentino, Antonio & Sala, José-Mª, 2019. "A novel thermoeconomic analysis under dynamic operating conditions for space heating and cooling systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 819-837.
    14. Małgorzata Fedorczak-Cisak & Katarzyna Nowak & Marcin Furtak, 2019. "Analysis of the Effect of Using External Venetian Blinds on the Thermal Comfort of Users of Highly Glazed Office Rooms in a Transition Season of Temperate Climate—Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18, December.
    15. Burillo, Daniel & Chester, Mikhail V. & Pincetl, Stephanie & Fournier, Eric, 2019. "Electricity infrastructure vulnerabilities due to long-term growth and extreme heat from climate change in Los Angeles County," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 943-953.
    16. Akhlaque Ahmad Khan & Ahmad Faiz Minai & Rupendra Kumar Pachauri & Hasmat Malik, 2022. "Optimal Sizing, Control, and Management Strategies for Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems: A Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-29, August.
    17. Shady Attia, 2020. "Spatial and Behavioral Thermal Adaptation in Net Zero Energy Buildings: An Exploratory Investigation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-15, September.
    18. Li, Biao & Han, Zongwei & Bai, Chenguang & Hu, Honghao, 2019. "The influence of soil thermal properties on the operation performance on ground source heat pump system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 903-913.
    19. Bakhshoodeh, Reza & Ocampo, Carlos & Oldham, Carolyn, 2022. "Thermal performance of green façades: Review and analysis of published data," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    20. Magnouréwa Josiane Tossim & Parfait Altolnan Tombar & Sinko Banakinao & Célestin Adeito Mavunda & Tchakouni Sondou & Cyprien Coffi Aholou & Yawovi Mawuénya Xolali Dany Ayité, 2024. "Analysis of the Choice of Cement in Construction and Its Impact on Comfort in Togo," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-19, August.

    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:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:8:p:2781-:d:791152. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.