Numerical Investigation of the Thermosiphon-Thermoelectric Generator by Different Parameters

Mortatha Faleh Majed; Mahdi Mgohimi

doi:10.51173/jt.v7i2.2666

Authors

Mortatha Faleh Majed Department of Energy Conversion, Mechanical Engineering College, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Mahdi Mgohimi Department of Energy Conversion, Mechanical Engineering College, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51173/jt.v7i2.2666

Keywords:

Thermo Siphon System, Thermoelectric Generator, Nanofluid, Thermal Energy, Heat Sink

Abstract

This paper aims to enhance the performance of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) in converting waste heat into electrical energy by employing nanofluids. The research addresses the limitations of traditional working fluids like water, which have low thermal conductivity, and explores the use of nanofluids in a thermosiphon system integrated with a TEG. The CFD tool used in this work is ANSYS Fluent R23 for solving the problem, and the turbulent flow is modeled using the SST k-ω model. The second-order upwind discretization scheme is used for solving the energy, continuity, and momentum equations. The study starts with analyzing heat sink geometry, focusing on fin height and spacing. Simulations demonstrate that reducing fin spacing from 5.50 mm to 2.50 mm, despite 70% reduction in the fins' number, optimizes performance by increasing the wetted surface area, thereby lowering heat sink temperatures. Similarly, increasing fin height to an optimal range of 5–25 mm improves heat dissipation, even though it reduces the local convection heat transfer coefficient, highlighting the importance of surface area in passive cooling systems. The study also explores the cooling potential of Al₂O₃ and CuO water nanofluids at a 4% concentration. Al₂O₃-water reduces the heat sink temperature by 17%, while CuO-water achieves a 13% reduction. Further increases in nanoparticle concentration enhance the cooling performance, with an additional temperature drop of approximately 8°C observed. Under extreme conditions with a heat flux of 75,000 W/m², the optimized heat sink design maintained a cold-side temperature of 39 °C when cooled by the Nano fluid. The simulations visually confirm the system’s effectiveness, demonstrating how geometric optimization and advanced materials work together to enhance TEG performance. This investigation offers valuable insights for improving energy conversion technologies, particularly in waste heat recovery.

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Author Biographies

Mortatha Faleh Majed, Department of Energy Conversion, Mechanical Engineering College, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Mahdi Mgohimi, Department of Energy Conversion, Mechanical Engineering College, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

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