Numerical analysis of flow configuration and channel design for thermoelectric OTEC systems
Abstract This research examines the optimized integration of Bi₂Te₃-based thermoelectric generators (TEGs) in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems, evaluating their performance via detailed numerical analysis. We conducted finite element simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics to analyze the...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06415-w |
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| author | Chun-I Wu Wei-Lun Tseng Bo-Xiang Wang |
| author_facet | Chun-I Wu Wei-Lun Tseng Bo-Xiang Wang |
| author_sort | Chun-I Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This research examines the optimized integration of Bi₂Te₃-based thermoelectric generators (TEGs) in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems, evaluating their performance via detailed numerical analysis. We conducted finite element simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics to analyze thermoelectric generators (TEGs) placed between a warm surface and cold deep seawater channels under different operational conditions. The research examined parallel and counter flow configurations at Reynolds numbers between 3987 and 73,800, with channel heights varying from 0.002 to 0.072 m. Results indicate that Reynolds numbers above 12,000 ensure stable heat supply to TEGs, resulting in a consistent output power of 3.01 W. The optimal net power of 1.45 W was attained at a channel height of 0.002 m, attributed to reduced pump power consumption. A comparative analysis of Bi₂Te₃-based material combinations demonstrated that improved electrical and decreased thermal conductivity notably enhanced system performance. This study offers essential insights for improving the design and implementation of TEG-OTEC systems, especially in offshore contexts where operational efficiency and system durability are critical, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable ocean energy technologies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2dfeac4b3aaa472e9dfde5182af7febf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-2dfeac4b3aaa472e9dfde5182af7febf2025-08-20T03:45:53ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115112310.1038/s41598-025-06415-wNumerical analysis of flow configuration and channel design for thermoelectric OTEC systemsChun-I Wu0Wei-Lun Tseng1Bo-Xiang Wang2Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean UniversityDepartment of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean UniversityDepartment of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean UniversityAbstract This research examines the optimized integration of Bi₂Te₃-based thermoelectric generators (TEGs) in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems, evaluating their performance via detailed numerical analysis. We conducted finite element simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics to analyze thermoelectric generators (TEGs) placed between a warm surface and cold deep seawater channels under different operational conditions. The research examined parallel and counter flow configurations at Reynolds numbers between 3987 and 73,800, with channel heights varying from 0.002 to 0.072 m. Results indicate that Reynolds numbers above 12,000 ensure stable heat supply to TEGs, resulting in a consistent output power of 3.01 W. The optimal net power of 1.45 W was attained at a channel height of 0.002 m, attributed to reduced pump power consumption. A comparative analysis of Bi₂Te₃-based material combinations demonstrated that improved electrical and decreased thermal conductivity notably enhanced system performance. This study offers essential insights for improving the design and implementation of TEG-OTEC systems, especially in offshore contexts where operational efficiency and system durability are critical, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable ocean energy technologies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06415-wOcean thermal energy conversion (OTEC)Renewable marine energy systemsThermoelectric power generationBi2Te3Thermoelectric materialsThermoelectric generators |
| spellingShingle | Chun-I Wu Wei-Lun Tseng Bo-Xiang Wang Numerical analysis of flow configuration and channel design for thermoelectric OTEC systems Scientific Reports Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) Renewable marine energy systems Thermoelectric power generation Bi2Te3 Thermoelectric materials Thermoelectric generators |
| title | Numerical analysis of flow configuration and channel design for thermoelectric OTEC systems |
| title_full | Numerical analysis of flow configuration and channel design for thermoelectric OTEC systems |
| title_fullStr | Numerical analysis of flow configuration and channel design for thermoelectric OTEC systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Numerical analysis of flow configuration and channel design for thermoelectric OTEC systems |
| title_short | Numerical analysis of flow configuration and channel design for thermoelectric OTEC systems |
| title_sort | numerical analysis of flow configuration and channel design for thermoelectric otec systems |
| topic | Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) Renewable marine energy systems Thermoelectric power generation Bi2Te3 Thermoelectric materials Thermoelectric generators |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06415-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT chuniwu numericalanalysisofflowconfigurationandchanneldesignforthermoelectricotecsystems AT weiluntseng numericalanalysisofflowconfigurationandchanneldesignforthermoelectricotecsystems AT boxiangwang numericalanalysisofflowconfigurationandchanneldesignforthermoelectricotecsystems |