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Advanced Techniques for Thermoelectric Generator and Fuel Cell System

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "J: Thermal Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2023) | Viewed by 9870

Special Issue Editors

Hubei Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Automotive Components, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 43007, China
Interests: thermoelectric; thermal management; new energy vehicle
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Hubei Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Automotive Components, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
Interests: proton exchange membrane fuel cell; heat and water management; fuel cell optimization design; fuel cell system; fuel cell energy management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Hebei Key Laboratory of Thermal Science and Energy Clean Utilization, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
Interests: thermelectric generator; heat transfer enhancement

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Guest Editor is inviting submissions to a Special Issue of Energies on the subject of “Advanced Techniques for Thermoelectric Generator and Fuel Cell Systems”. Thermoelectrics, which converts heat into electricity and vice versa by utilising the Seebeck effect and Peltier effect, could play an important role in global sustainable energy solutions. Currently, studies focus on the thermoelectric structure, figure of merit of thermoelectric materials, and systems designed to enhance devices' performances. Furthermore, to address the requirements of shorter product development cycles and reduced development costs, while boosting power density, efficiency, service life and safety, it is necessary to rely on advanced simulation models in the development process of fuel cells, their components, and fuel-cell-based systems.

This Special Issue will deal with novel optimization and control techniques for Thermoelectric Generator and Fuel Cell Systems to provide an answer to these challenges. This Special Issue will focus on, but is not limited to, the following topics:

  1. Promising thermoelectric materials;
  2. Technical studies of thermoelectric generator and cooler;
  3. Multistage structure optimization;
  4. Hybrid thermoelectric system;
  5. All types of fuel cells
  6. Fuel-cell-based systems
  7. High efficiency application;
  8. Research/technological challenges;
  9. Advanced model parametrization tools.

Dr. Xun Liu
Dr. Ben Chen
Dr. Yulong Zhao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • thermoelectric materials
  • thermoelectric performance optimization
  • waste heat utilization
  • temperature precise control
  • proton exchange membrane fuel cell
  • heat and water management

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 9157 KiB  
Article
Simulation of Internal Manifold-Type Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFCs) with Different Operating Conditions
by Kyu-Seok Jung, Kai Zhang and Chang-Whan Lee
Energies 2023, 16(6), 2700; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16062700 - 14 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 916
Abstract
Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) use molten carbonate as an electrolyte. MCFCs operate at high temperatures and have the advantage of using methane as a fuel because they can use nickel-based catalysts. We analyzed the performance of an internal manifold-type MCFC, according to [...] Read more.
Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) use molten carbonate as an electrolyte. MCFCs operate at high temperatures and have the advantage of using methane as a fuel because they can use nickel-based catalysts. We analyzed the performance of an internal manifold-type MCFC, according to operating conditions, using computational fluid dynamics. Different conditions were used for the external and internal reforming-type MCFCs. Flow directions, gas utilization, and operating temperatures were used as the conditions for the external reforming-type MCFCs. The S/C ratio and reforming area were used as the conditions for internal reforming-type MCFCs. A simulation model was developed, considering gas transfer, reforming reaction, and heat transfer. The simulation results of external reforming-type MCFCs showed similar pressure drops in all flow directions. As the gas utilization decreased, the temperature decreased, but the performance increased. The performance improved with increasing operating temperatures. The simulation results for the internal reforming-type MCFCs showed that more hydrogen was produced as the S/C ratio decreased, and the performance increased accordingly. More hydrogen was produced as the reforming area increased. However, similar performance was obtained when the reforming area contained the same active area. The external and internal reforming-type MCFCs were compared under the same conditions. The efficiency of the external reforming-type MCFCs is higher than that of the internal reforming-type MCFCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Techniques for Thermoelectric Generator and Fuel Cell System)
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16 pages, 8212 KiB  
Article
Comparison and Parametric Analysis of Thermoelectric Generator System for Industrial Waste Heat Recovery with Three Types of Heat Sinks: Numerical Study
by Jie Liu, Ki-Yeol Shin and Sung Chul Kim
Energies 2022, 15(17), 6320; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15176320 - 30 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1815
Abstract
In this study, a fluid–thermal–electrical multiphysics numerical model was developed for the thermal and electrical analyses of a heat sink-based thermoelectric generator (TEG) in a waste heat recovery system used for casting a bronze ingot mold. Moreover, the model was validated based on [...] Read more.
In this study, a fluid–thermal–electrical multiphysics numerical model was developed for the thermal and electrical analyses of a heat sink-based thermoelectric generator (TEG) in a waste heat recovery system used for casting a bronze ingot mold. Moreover, the model was validated based on experimental data. Heat sinks were installed on the hot side of the TEG module to recover the waste heat from the flue gas generated in the casting process. The numerical results of the thermal and electrical characteristics of a plate fin (PF)-based TEG showed good agreement with the experimental findings. Numerical simulations of heat sinks with three different fin structures—PF, cylinder pin fin (CPF), and rectangular pin fin (RPF)—were conducted. The simulated system pressure drop, hot- and cold-side temperature difference in the TEG module, TEG power output, and TEG efficiency were compared for the differently designed fin structures. The results showed that for the same fin area, the CPF heat sink-based TEG system achieved a lower pressure drop, higher power output, and higher efficiency than the other two designs. This was particularly true when the velocity of the flue gas and the fin height exceed 5 m/s and 28.6 mm, respectively. Therefore, for low and high flue gas velocities, PF and CPF heat sinks are recommended as the best choices, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Techniques for Thermoelectric Generator and Fuel Cell System)
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25 pages, 14289 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Energy Management Strategy for Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicles Based on Dynamic Programming
by Changqing Du, Shiyang Huang, Yuyao Jiang, Dongmei Wu and Yang Li
Energies 2022, 15(12), 4325; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15124325 - 13 Jun 2022
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 2798
Abstract
Fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles have attracted a large amount of attention in recent years owing to their advantages of zero emissions, high efficiency and low noise. To improve the fuel economy and system durability of vehicles, this paper proposes an energy management [...] Read more.
Fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles have attracted a large amount of attention in recent years owing to their advantages of zero emissions, high efficiency and low noise. To improve the fuel economy and system durability of vehicles, this paper proposes an energy management strategy optimization method for fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles based on dynamic programming. Rule-based and dynamic-programming-based strategies are developed based on building a fuel cell/battery hybrid system model. The rule-based strategy is improved with a power distribution scheme of dynamic programming strategy to improve the fuel economy of the vehicle. Furthermore, a limit on the rate of change of the output power of the fuel cell system is added to the rule-based strategy to avoid large load changes to improve the durability of the fuel cell. The simulation results show that the equivalent 100 km hydrogen consumption of the strategy based on the dynamic programming optimization rules is reduced by 6.46% compared with that before the improvement, and by limiting the rate of change of the output power of the fuel cell system, the times of large load changes are reduced. Therefore, the strategy based on the dynamic programming optimization rules effectively improves the fuel economy and system durability of vehicles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Techniques for Thermoelectric Generator and Fuel Cell System)
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19 pages, 6320 KiB  
Article
Effect of Baffle Dimensionless Size Factor on the Performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
by Yonghua Cai, Jingming Sun, Fan Wei and Ben Chen
Energies 2022, 15(10), 3812; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15103812 - 22 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1446
Abstract
In this paper, the model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with single straight channel is established to investigate the effect of dimensionless size factor of baffles on PEMFC performance. The influence of dimensionless length and height of baffles is discussed. [...] Read more.
In this paper, the model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with single straight channel is established to investigate the effect of dimensionless size factor of baffles on PEMFC performance. The influence of dimensionless length and height of baffles is discussed. Results show that adding baffles could dramatically optimize the mass transfer in PEMFC. The dimensionless length and height of the baffle have much influence on PEMFC performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Techniques for Thermoelectric Generator and Fuel Cell System)
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18 pages, 2522 KiB  
Article
Numerical Simulation on Pressure Dynamic Response Characteristics of Hydrogen Systems for Fuel Cell Vehicles
by Wenshang Chen, Yang Liu and Ben Chen
Energies 2022, 15(7), 2413; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15072413 - 25 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1960
Abstract
A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is known as one of the most promising energy sources for electric vehicles. A hydrogen system is required to provide hydrogen to the stack in time to meet the flow and pressure requirements according to the [...] Read more.
A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is known as one of the most promising energy sources for electric vehicles. A hydrogen system is required to provide hydrogen to the stack in time to meet the flow and pressure requirements according to the power requirements. In this study, a 1-D model of a hydrogen system, including the fuel cell stack, was established. Two modes, one with and one without a proportion integration differentiation (PID) control strategy, were applied to analyze the pressure characteristics and performance of the PEMFC. The results showed that the established model could be well verified with experimental data. The anode pressure fluctuation with a PID control strategy was more stable, which reduced the damage to the fuel cell stack caused by sudden changes of anode pressure. In addition, the performance of the stack with the PID control mode was slightly improved. There was an inflection point for hydrogen utilization; the hydrogen utilization rate was higher under the mode without PID control when the current density was greater than 0.4 A/cm2. What is more, a hierarchical control strategy was proposed, which made the pressure difference between the anode and cathode meet the stack working requirements, and, more importantly, maintained the high hydrogen utilization of the hydrogen system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Techniques for Thermoelectric Generator and Fuel Cell System)
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