Thermal management of a flexible controlled thermoelectric energy conversion-utilization system using a multi-objective optimization

• Published in: Applied thermal engineering 2020-10, Vol.179, p.115721, Article 115721
• Main Authors: Meng, Jing-Hui, Wu, Hao-Chi, Wang, Liang, Lu, Gui, Zhang, Kai, Yan, Wei-Mon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clean energy; Clean technology; Combined thermoelectric converter; Cooling; Cooling capacity; Energy conversion; Generators; Multi-objective optimization; Multiple objective analysis; New technology; Optimization; Power supply; Structure design; Thermal management; Thermoelectric cooling; Thermoelectric generators
• ISSN: 1359-4311; 1873-5606
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115721

•A new two-separated single-stage integrated thermoelectric system is proposed.•Multi-parameter/objective optimization is used to find the best cooling performance.•Separated design provide a more flexible controlling of thermal management for TEC. The thermoelectric generator (TEG) and thermoelectric cooler (TEC) are emerging technologies for efficient-clean energy conversion-utilization systems. TE element number arrangement greatly affects the performance of two-stage TEGs/TECs or TEG-TEC combined systems. In the present study an endeavor has been proposed for a novel TEG-TEC integrated system by replacing the two-stage TEG with two-separated single-stage TEGs. Similar temperatures were applied to TEGs and individual systems with discrete currents demonstrate better performance than that with current connected in series. Corresponding multi-parameter and multi-objective optimization approach have been applied to automatically estimating the optimal structure. It has been witnessed that the separated systems can directly adjust the currents I1 and I2 to upsurge the Peltier cooling of upper stage. Therefore, the separated design is capable of overcoming the inverted pyramid structure restriction of traditional multi-stage TECs, which makes it feasible for the TECs fabrication. The multi-objective optimization, QL-C escalates by 35.33% for Max-QL-C-design, and COP increases by 467.35% for Max-COP-design. As a trade-off solution, QL-C and COP in TOPSIS-design respectively increase by 23.37% and 248.98%. The corresponding mechanisms of the optimized designs have been clearly discussed from the physical points of view. Therefore, the results of this research study will definitely expand the application opportunities of TECs to remote or special areas where power supply is not available.