알칼리 금속 열전기 변환기와 열전 발전기 하이브리드 시스템의 모델링 및 성능 분석

Abstract

This study presents the modeling and performance evaluation of a hybrid power generation system combining an Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) with a Thermoelectric Generator (TEG). The objective is to improve the utilization of high- and mid-temperature thermal energy by coupling AMTEC with TEG, thereby recovering residual heat from the AMTEC condenser for additional power production. A system-level simulation was developed using a Modelica-based platform (Dymola/OpenModelica), incorporating the interactions among the Thermal Energy Storage (TES), AMTEC, and TEG modules. The AMTEC model demonstrated accurate thermal and electrochemical behavior, showing less than 0.5 °C temperature deviation compared with experimental data and a power prediction error of approximately 6%. The TEG model reproduced experimental results with an error below 17%, depending on the imposed temperature gradient, with aluminum-based fins achieving the highest efficiency due to increased heat transfer area. Simulation results confirmed that the integrated TEG provides an additional 10% of the power output relative to the AMTEC cell generation alone, indicating a meaningful enhancement in overall system efficiency. The proposed hybrid configuration thus offers improved energy conversion performance while maintaining structural simplicity and reliability. This approach highlights the potential of AMTEC-TEG coupling as a next-generation power technology applicable to high-temperature energy storage, solar thermal systems, and advanced nuclear reactors. Future work will focus on extended experimental validation, material durability assessment of electrodes and electrolytes, and system-level optimization to further advance the commercialization of hybrid AMTEC.