Experimental investigation on combined thermal energy storage and thermoelectric system by using foam/PCM composite. (1st September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, W.Q.; Zhang, T.Y.; Li, B.B.; Cui, F.Q.; Liu, L.L.
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 243(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09-01
• Subjects: Phase change materials -- Metal foam -- Thermal energy storage -- Thermoelectric generator (TEG) -- Heat transfer enhancement; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2021.114429
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Highlights: Energy management system combines latent heat storage and thermoelectric harvest. Thermal energy storage is accomplished and enhanced by PCM-embedded metal foam. TEG is sandwiched between the foam/PCM material and a coolant tank. Foam/PCM thermally protects heat source and stabilize TEG's hot-side temperature. Lower porosity foam obtains better thermal control and thermoelectric energy. Abstract: This study reported an experimental investigation of thermal and thermoelectric performances of integrated energy storage/release/harvesting system that utilized PCM-based metal foam composite for enhanced latent-heat energy storage and employed thermoelectric generator (TEG) for energy harvest. The TEG was sandwiched between the foam/PCM hybrid material and a coolant tank, functioned as the hot and cold side of TEG. PCM was used to storage the latent heat, manipulate and stabilize TEG's hot-side temperature and the metal foam was employed to enhance the thermal conductivity and accelerate the heat dissipation. Results showed that compared with pure PCM, that insertion of metal foam in PCM reduced the surface temperature of heat source, accelerated the process of melting/solidification of PCM, increased and unified the hot-side temperature of TEG, and therefore augmented thermoelectric energy. However, beneficial from the highest latent heat release, the case of pure PCM provided the most thermoelectric energy during solidification. Furthermore, the foam/PCM composite with lower porosity offered the best thermal control and highest thermoelectric energy harvest due to its highest thermal conductivity. The composite with lower melting point owned better thermal control for the heat source than that with higher melting point did, but at the expanse of less thermoelectric energy harvest.