Numerical analysis of segmented thermoelectric generators applied in the heat pipe cooled nuclear reactor

The power system of heat pipe reactor is divided into dynamic conversion and static conversion. Segmented thermoelectric generator (STEG) is a typical static conversion, but there is not enough literature to study its application in heat pipe reactor. Therefore, we have to design the STEG used in the heat pipe reactor. Firstly, we successfully simulated the STEG in COMSOL 5.5 and optimized the geometry and performance. The numerical simulation under steady-state conditions is carried out to determine the optimal STEG geometry. Then, the optimal STEG is connected with a heat pipe to form a single-channel model for simulation to explore the performance. The maximum thermoelectric performance can reach 15.75% for a single STEG, and the maximum stress is about 270 MPa. In the single-channel model, thermoelectric conversion efficiency reduces from 15.75% to 15.63%. This work provides a preliminary basis for numerical simulation in the combination between the STEG and heat pipe reactor.

Automated summary

This research successfully designs and simulates a segmented thermoelectric generator (STEG) for heat pipe reactors. By conducting numerical simulations under steady-state conditions, the optimal geometry of the STEG is determined and its performance is explored further.