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Modeling Energy Recovery Using Thermoelectric Conversion Integrated with an Organic Rankine Bottoming Cycle

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Engine and industrial waste heat are sources of high-grade thermal energy that can potentially be utilized. This paper describes a model system that employs thermoelectric conversion as a topping cycle integrated with an organic Rankine bottoming cycle. The model has many parameters that define combined system quantities such as overall output power and conversion efficiency. The model can identify the optimal performance points for both the thermoelectric and organic Rankine bottoming cycle. Key analysis results are presented showing the impact of critical design parameters on power output and system performance.

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Abbreviations

A :

heat exchanger surface area, m2

c p :

specific heat, kJ/kg K

h :

enthalpy, kJ/kg

k :

thermal conductivity, W/m K

\( \dot{m} \) :

mass flow rate, kg/s

Q :

heat transfer, kJ

R :

thermal resistance, K/W

T :

temperature, °C or K

U :

overall heat transfer coefficient, W/m2 K

W :

power, kW

Z :

thermoelectric figure of merit

α :

thermal diffusivity, m2/s

Δ:

Change

ρ :

density, kg/m3

1:

Rankine working fluid leaving the boiler

6:

Rankine working fluid entering preboiler

7:

Rankine working fluid leaving preboiler

c, C:

low (cold)-side temperature of the TEG

exh:

exhaust stream leaving the boiler

h, H:

high-temperature side

HHi:

high-temperature heat exchanger inlet

HHo:

high-temperature heat exchanger outlet

HHs:

high-temperature heat exchanger surface

L:

low (cold)-side temperature condition

n :

n-type thermal electric material

out:

leaving system

p :

p-type thermal electric material

r:

Rankine cycle

ave:

averaged value

th:

thermal

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to sincerely thank Dr. Ashok Patil, Technology Assessment Manager, US Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command, Ft. Belvoir, VA for his support of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

    Erik W. Miller & Richard B. Peterson

  2. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA

    Terry J. Hendricks

Authors
  1. Erik W. Miller
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  2. Terry J. Hendricks
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  3. Richard B. Peterson
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Correspondence to Erik W. Miller.

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Miller, E.W., Hendricks, T.J. & Peterson, R.B. Modeling Energy Recovery Using Thermoelectric Conversion Integrated with an Organic Rankine Bottoming Cycle. J. Electron. Mater. 38, 1206–1213 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-009-0743-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-009-0743-1

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