Modeling and Analysis of a Thermoelectric-Assisted Two-Phase Condenser with Bidirectional Electro-Thermal Coupling

Two-phase thermal management systems such as heat pipes and mechanically pumped loops offer high heat transfer capability and compactness for energy and electronics cooling applications. More recently, integrating thermoelectric generators (TEGs) into condensation devices has emerged as a promising approach to combine heat rejection with low-grade power generation. However, most existing studies rely on experimental demonstrations or lumped thermal representations, limiting the understanding of the coupled thermo-hydraulic and electrical interactions governing such systems, particularly under two-phase flow conditions. This work presents a one-dimensional, spatially
resolved model of a two-phase condenser equipped with an effective-property transverse thermo-electric generator (TTEG) wall. The framework resolves local heat transfer, pressure drop, phase evolution, and electrical response, while enabling bidirectional electro-thermal coupling between the condenser thermal field and the external electrical operating point. The model is analysed under three configurations: baseline operation without thermoelectric integration, open-circuit thermoelectric operation, and fully coupled electrical-load conditions. This formulation makes it possible to distinguish
passive thermal effects associated with the thermoelectric wall from active current dependent electro-thermal feedback, and to quantify how electrical loading influences phase distribution, heat transfer, and power generation. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework captures the dominant thermal and electrical interactions governing thermoelectric-assisted condensation, providing a physically consistent basis for identifying operating regimes where electro-thermal coupling may become more significant.