Experimental and computational analysis of thermoelectric modules based on melt-mixed polypropylene composites. (1st March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Doraghi, Qusay; Żabnieńska-Góra, Alina; Norman, Les; Krause, Beate; Pötschke, Petra; Jouhara, Hussam
• Is Part Of: Thermal science and engineering progress. Volume 39(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03-01
• Subjects: Thermoelectric generators -- New TEG leg geometries -- Melt-mixed polypropylene composites -- COMSOL simulation -- Validation of TEG model; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heat engineering; Thermodynamics; Periodicals; 621.402
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsep.2023.101693
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2451-9049

Abstract

Highlights: TEGs based on conductive polymer composites are investigated. TEG models based on polypropylene melt-mixed are developed in COMSOL. Different geometries of TEG models consisting of 4 and 49 pairs are explored. Validated TEG models can be used for further analyses. Abstract: Researchers are constantly looking for new materials that exploit the Seebeck phenomenon to convert heat into electrical energy using thermoelectric generators (TEGs). New lead-free thermoelectric materials are being investigated as part of the EU project InComEss, with one of the anticipated uses being converting wasted heat into electric energy. Such research aims to reduce the production costs as well as the environmental impact of current TEG modules which mostly employ bismuth for their construction. The use of polymers that, despite lower efficiency, achieve increasingly higher values of electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficients at a low heat transfer coefficient is increasingly discussed in the literature. This article presents two thermoelectric generator (TEG) models based on data previously described in the literature. Two types of designs are presented: consisting of 4- and 49-leg pairs of p- and n -type composites based on polypropylene melt-mixed with single-walled carbon nanotubes. The models being developed using COMSOL Multiphysics software and validated based on measurements carried out in the laboratory. Based on the results of the analysis, conductive polymer composites employing insulating matrices can be considered as a promising material of the future for TEG modules.