Multi-objective genetic algorithm optimization of thermoelectric heat exchanger for waste heat recovery

SUMMARY A model is developed to simulate a cross‐flow heat exchanger, including fins, in the wall of which thermoelectric generators are sandwiched. Such a system could be used for waste heat recovery. The model is used to optimize the device based on several objective functions: total volume, total...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of energy research Vol. 36; no. 5; pp. 632 - 642
Main Authors: Bélanger, Simon, Gosselin, Louis
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.04.2012
Wiley
Subjects:
Applied sciences
cross-flow
Devices using thermal energy
Energy
Energy. Thermal use of fuels
Exact sciences and technology
genetic algorithm
heat exchanger
Heat exchangers (included heat transformers, condensers, cooling towers)
multi-objective
optimization
thermoelectric
waste heat
Heat flow
Fin
Thermoelectric generator
Modeling
cross-flow
Optimization
Waste retrieval
Heat recovery
Geometry
thermoelectric
Genetic algorithm
Heat exchanger
Waste heat
Performance
multi-objective
ISSN:0363-907X, 1099-114X
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:SUMMARY A model is developed to simulate a cross‐flow heat exchanger, including fins, in the wall of which thermoelectric generators are sandwiched. Such a system could be used for waste heat recovery. The model is used to optimize the device based on several objective functions: total volume, total number of thermoelectric modules, power output, and pumping power. The design variables are the local distribution of modules and of current, the shape of the fins, and the division of the heat exchanger in sub‐channels. Pareto fronts are achieved with a multi‐objective genetic algorithm, and are presented here. The results show that the number of sub‐channels in the heat exchanger has a larger impact on the overall performance than the fin geometry for this particular problem. Also, the net power output is mostly correlated to the number of thermoelectric modules, and less to the heat exchanger volume. Various relations between the different competing objectives are shown and analyzed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bibliography:ark:/67375/WNG-7ZTWFGFN-L
ArticleID:ER1820
istex:CF8691EE66278B71B34A660AF5267350400906F5
ISSN:0363-907X
1099-114X
DOI:10.1002/er.1820