Design of enhanced air-cooled natural circulation systems assisted by thermoelectric generator and analysis of effectiveness and enhancement mechanism

To cope with the problem of low heat transfer capacity of air-cooled natural circulation systems, the enhanced natural circulation systems are designed with thermoelectric generator (TEG). In the systems designed, thermoelectric material is used in part of the heat exchanger tubes. The inherent heat energy of the original natural circulation systems is partially converted into electricity. The electricity is further used to accelerate the circulation flow of air with a blower. Besides, the possibility to export part of the electricity for some other emergency purposes is also explored. Modeling and numerical simulation of the systems designed are carried out. Parameters influencing the systems performance are determined based on the simulation results. Heat transfer capacity of the systems is calculated and compared with that of the original natural circulation systems. Effectiveness of the systems designed is validated, and enhancement mechanism of the systems is analyzed from several aspects. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Enhanced natural circulation systems with thermoelectric generators are designed to address the low heat transfer capacity issue by converting part of the original heat energy into electricity to accelerate air circulation flow and explore other emergency uses. Modeling and numerical simulation are conducted to determine system performance parameters, calculate heat transfer capacity, compare with original systems, validate effectiveness, and analyze enhancement mechanisms.