Design optimization of a microfluidic-integrated thermoelectric power generator

• Published in: Smart materials and structures 2014-08, Vol.23 (8), p.1-12
• Main Authors: En Heng, Yeh, Abd Manaf, Asrulnizam, Sing Lee, Sze
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Channels; Computer simulation; Coolants; Design optimization; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Generators; Heat sinks; Mathematical models; microchannel; pumping power; thermoelectric generator; Thermoelectric generators; Thermoionic conversion
• ISSN: 0964-1726; 1361-665X
• DOI: 10.1088/0964-1726/23/8/085003

In this paper we present the design optimization of an emerging concept, the employment of a microfluidic channel as the heat sink in a thermoelectric generator. This combination shows its superiority particularly when the heat source experiences small temperature changes, rendering the generator unable to enhance its performance and hence imposing a constraint on the generated power. The proposed simulation model, which is composed of 100 pairs of polysilicon thermocouples, is integrated with a rectangular polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannel heat sink. The choice of the employed coolant is silicone oil. The efforts to predict the optimized performance of the model are based on the lengths of the thermo-elements, channel geometry, coolant flow rate, as well as the temperature difference between the heat source and heat sink. The ultimate simulation results of the optimized thermoelectric generator reveal a voltage efficiency factor as high as 11.752 V cm−2 K−1 and a power efficiency factor as high as 0.2377 W cm−2 K−2.