抄録
As a means of improving the generating efficiency of the compact SOFC system with a rated AC power of 700 W, we introduced the heat exchanger which is integrated with CoSb3, SiGe thermoelectric materials, namely TEG-HEX, instead of the air preheater in the SOFC system simulation model. We investigated the influences of changes of materials thermoelectric properties and the thermoelectric element size in the TEG-HEX. The results of simulation indicated that using low thermal conductivity materials and high aspect ratio, in other words, long and thin, elements can withdraw larger temperature difference and larger TEG output power under realistic heat transfer conditions. To enhance the SOFC’s power generation efficiency, it is important to design the TEG-HEX using low thermal conductivity materials.
