A suitable heat duct shape for a thermoelectric generator cooling system

Authors

  • Banchob Sukprapaporn School of Renewable Energy Technology (SERT), Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 6500, Thailand
  • Pisit Maneechot School of Renewable Energy Technology (SERT), Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 6500, Thailand
  • Nipon Ketjoy School of Renewable Energy Technology (SERT), Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 6500, Thailand
  • Sarayooth Vaivudh School of Renewable Energy Technology (SERT), Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 6500, Thailand

Keywords:

Thermoelectric generator (TEG), Heat duct, Duct shape, Water cooling system

Abstract

In this research, heat ducts of a gasifier system were designed for power generation from waste heat using the thermoelectric generator (TEG). The commonly used heat duct has a circular shape which is impossible to install a flat thermoelectric module (7×7 cm2). Therefore, a heat duct has to be modified into a circular, a triangular and a square cross-sectional ducts. The cross-sectional area of these three geometries were A'=7.07 cm2, 43.5 cm2 and 100 cm2 for a circular, a triangular and a square crosssectional ducts, respectively. Power generation by using different heat duct shapes, effect of turbulent flow on the efficiency of heat transfer and directions of a cooling system were observed. In conclusion, a square cross-sectional duct is the most suitable shape for power generation using the thermoelectric devices. Even though temperatures along all duct shapes steadily decreased, the temperature profile of a square cross-sectional duct was more homogenous than the other shapes. Installation of a swirl core could create turbulent flow, increased the average temperature for approximately 16-22% compared with a heat duct without a swirl core. A counter flow of a water cooling system also created higher contrast of the temperatures on the surface of hot and cold sides compared with a parallel flow. These solutions can improve the efficiency of heat transfer inside a heat duct.

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How to Cite

Sukprapaporn, B., Maneechot, P., Ketjoy, N., & Vaivudh, S. (2014). A suitable heat duct shape for a thermoelectric generator cooling system. Journal of Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Technology, 9(1), 19–30. Retrieved from https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/RAST/article/view/26345

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2014): January - June 2014

Section

Articles

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