In pursuit of enhancing the utilization of exhaust heat in the automotive thermoelectric generator (ATEG), this study introduces a novel heat exchanger with integrated heat pipes to extend the effective hot-side surface area. Meanwhile, a numerical model containing multiphysical fields is developed, and the quantity and arrangement of heat pipes are optimized based on this model. Results suggest that (i) The incorporation of heat pipes markedly enhances the recovery of heat energy from the ATEG, leading to a substantial increase in its output power; (ii) With an increasing heat pipe quantity, the ATEG’s output power exhibits a continuous upward trend before eventually reaching stability; (iii) The arrangement of heat pipes also influences system performance, and through optimizations, the optimal quantity of heat pipes is determined to be = 11 and toleration to be = 1 mm. At an exhaust temperature of 550 K and a mass flow rate of 60 g/s, the ATEG achieves an output power of 213.19 W and a heat absorption of 4318.02 W, which increased by 42.95 % and 55.6 % respectively, compared with the traditional structure without heat pipes. This structural optimization concept for the heat exchanger provides a new approach to performance improvements of ATEGs. This study provides a design basis and guidance for optimizing the design of ATEG systems with integrated heat pipes.

中文翻译：

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通过热管扩大热交换器的热侧面积提高汽车热电发电机的性能

为了提高汽车热电发电机 (ATEG) 中废热的利用率，本研究引入了一种带有集成热管的新型热交换器，以扩大有效热侧表面积。同时建立了包含多物理场的数值模型，并基于该模型对热管的数量和布置进行了优化。结果表明：(i) 热管的加入显着增强了 ATEG 的热能回收，导致其输出功率大幅增加； (ii)随着热管数量的增加，ATEG的输出功率呈现持续上升趋势，最终达到稳定； (iii)热管的布置也影响系统性能，通过优化，确定最佳热管数量=11根，容许误差=1mm。在排气温度为550 K、质量流量为60 g/s时，ATEG的输出功率为213.19 W，吸热量为4318.02 W，较传统结构分别提高了42.95%和55.6%没有热管。这种热交换器的结构优化概念为 ATEG 的性能改进提供了一种新方法。该研究为集成热管ATEG系统的优化设计提供了设计依据和指导。