Thermoelectric Power Generation System Using Waste Heat from Biomass Drying

This paper looks at thermoelectric power generation from waste heat from a biomass drier. In this study, the researchers selected four thermoelectric modules: two thermoelectric cooling modules (Model A: MT2-1,6-127 and Model B: TEC1-12708) and two thermoelectric power generation modules (Model C: TEP1-1264-3.4 and Model D: TEG1-1260-5.1) for testing at temperatures between 25°C and 230°C. Test results indicated that the thermoelectric TEC1-12708 could generate a maximum power output of 1 W/module and TEP1-1264-3.4, TEG1-1260-5.1, and MT2-1,6-127 could generate 1.07 W/module, 0.88 W/module, and 0.76 W/module, respectively. Therefore, the thermoelectric cooling of TEC1-12708 was appropriate to use for thermoelectric power generation from waste heat. The experiments used four ventilation fans (6 W, 2.50 m³/s) and 12 thermoelectric modules which were installed in the back of a charcoal brazier. The experiments were conducted and tested in conditions of recycling 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% of outlet air. Testing results identified that the temperatures of the drying room were 81°C, 76°C, 70°C, and 64°C, respectively. The power generation system could generate about 22.4 W (14 V, 1.6 A) with an air flow of 9.62 m³/s. The thermoelectric module can convert 4.08% of the heat energy to electrical energy.     

Performance Analysis of a Thermoelectric Solar Collector Integrated with a Heat Pump

A novel heat pump system is proposed. A thermoelectric solar collector was coupled to a solar-assisted heat pump (TESC-HP) to work as an evaporator. The cooling effect of the system’s refrigerant allowed the cold side of the system’s thermoelectric modules to work at lower temperature, improving the conversion efficiency. The TESC-HP system mainly consisted of transparent glass, an air gap, an absorber plate that acted as a direct expansion-type collector/evaporator, an R-134a piston-type hermetic compressor, a water-cooled plate-type condenser, thermoelectric modules, and a water storage tank. Test results indicated that the TESC-HP has better coefficient of performance (COP) and conversion efficiency than the separate units. For the meteorological conditions in Mahasarakham, the COP of the TESC-HP system can reach 5.48 when the average temperature of 100 L of water is increased from 28°C to 40°C in 60 min with average ambient temperature of 32.5°C and average solar intensity of 815 W/m², whereas the conversion efficiency of the TE power generator was around 2.03%.     

Thermoelectricity in Self-Contained Heating and Boiler Systems

The use of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) in heating systems enables autonomous supply of power to automatic safety devices, creation of optimized gas mixtures, and automation and precise temperature control of exhaust gas and heat carriers. It is particularly important to make heating systems independent of the district electric grid. Results of research and development efforts on a TEG for supplying power to electric devices of self-contained heating and boiler systems are presented. A TEG physical model is proposed, and results of computer simulation and optimization of its basic power and design parameters are given. Two TEG design variants (single and double sided) are considered. Their advantages and shortcomings are discussed. On the basis of theoretical calculations, a prototype TEG for a 10.5-kW boiler is built. At water heating system temperatures from 35°C to 80°C, the TEG electric power is 50 W to 65 W, which is used to supply a circulation pump for forced liquid heat carrier delivery (30 W to 40 W) and a fan for removal of fuel combustion products from the boiler’s smoke chamber (5 W to 7 W).     

Weight Penalty Incurred in Thermoelectric Recovery of Automobile Exhaust Heat

Thermoelectric recovery of automobile waste exhaust heat has been identified as having potential for reducing fuel consumption and environmentally unfriendly emissions. Around 35% of combustion energy is discharged as heat through the exhaust system, at temperatures which depend upon the engine’s operation and range from 800°C to 900°C at the outlet port to less than 50°C at the tail-pipe. Beneficial reduction in fuel consumption of 5% to 10% is widely quoted in the literature. However, comparison between claims is difficult due to nonuniformity of driving conditions. In this paper the available waste exhaust heat energy produced by a 1.5 L family car when undergoing the new European drive cycle was measured and the potential thermoelectric output estimated. The work required to power the vehicle through the drive cycle was also determined and used to evaluate key parameters. This enabled an estimate to be made of the engine efficiency and additional work required by the engine to meet the load of a thermoelectric generating system. It is concluded that incorporating a thermoelectric generator would attract a penalty of around 12 W/kg. Employing thermoelectric modules fabricated from low-density material such as magnesium silicide would considerably reduce the generator weight penalty.     

Thermal Modeling of a Hybrid Thermoelectric Solar Collector with a Compound Parabolic Concentrator

In this study radiant light from the sun is used by a hybrid thermoelectric (TE) solar collector and a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) to generate electricity and thermal energy. The hybrid TE solar collector system described in this report is composed of transparent glass, an air gap, an absorber plate, TE modules, a heat sink to cool the water, and a storage tank. Incident solar radiation falls on the CPC, which directs and reflects the radiation to heat up the absorber plate, creating a temperature difference across the TE modules. The water, which absorbs heat from the hot TE modules, flows through the heat sink to release its heat. The results show that the electrical power output and the conversion efficiency depend on the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the TE modules. A maximum power output of 1.03 W and a conversion efficiency of 0.6% were obtained when the temperature difference was 12°C. The thermal efficiency increased as the water flow rate increased. The maximum thermal efficiency achieved was 43.3%, corresponding to a water flow rate of 0.24 kg/s. These experimental results verify that using a TE solar collector with a CPC to produce both electrical power and thermal energy seems to be feasible. The thermal model and calculation method can be applied for performance prediction.     

A Thermoelectric Generator Using Engine Coolant for Light-Duty Internal Combustion Engine-Powered Vehicles

We proposed and fabricated a thermoelectric generator (TEG) using the engine water coolant of passenger vehicles. The experimental results revealed that the maximum output power from the proposed thermoelectric generator was ~75 W, the calculated thermoelectric module efficiency of the TEG was ~2.1%, and the overall efficiency of electric power generation from the waste heat of the engine coolant was ~0.3% in the driving mode at 80 km/h. The conventional radiator can thus be replaced by the proposed TEG without additional devices or redesign of the engine water cooling system of the existing radiator.     

A General Model for the Electric Power and Energy Efficiency of a Solar Thermoelectric Generator

A general model for the electric power and energy efficiency of a solar thermoelectric generator is discussed, considering the influences of the input energy, the thermal conductivity, the absorptivity and emissivity of the heat collector, and the cooling water. The influences of these factors on the performance of the thermoelectric device are discussed, considering the thermoelectric generator as a whole, including the heat collector, the thermoelectric device, and the cooling. Results show that high input energy, and high absorptivity and low emissivity of the heat collector, are helpful for obtaining a high-performance thermoelectric generator. A high thermal transfer coefficient of the cooling water can increase the temperature difference across the thermoelectric device but results in greater accessory power requirements if increased further.     

Procedure and Equipment for Measuring Parameters of Thermoelectric Generator Modules

Equipment for measuring parameters of thermoelectric generator modules in the temperature range from 30°C to 600°C, and in the expanded range to 800°C, has been developed. To determine module efficiency, the equipment employs a direct heat flux measurement using heat meters. Steps to minimize measurement errors were taken in the development. This equipment can be used for studies on the development of thermoelectric modules, as well as for their quality control during commercial production. Consumers will find this equipment useful for testing generator modules prior to mounting them into final products.     

High-Temperature High-Efficiency Solar Thermoelectric Generators

Inspired by recent high-efficiency thermoelectric modules, we consider thermoelectrics for terrestrial applications in concentrated solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs). The STEG is modeled as two subsystems: a TEG, and a solar absorber that efficiently captures the concentrated sunlight and limits radiative losses from the system. The TEG subsystem is modeled using thermoelectric compatibility theory; this model does not constrain the material properties to be constant with temperature. Considering a three-stage TEG based on current record modules, this model suggests that 18% efficiency could be experimentally expected with a temperature gradient of 1000°C to 100°C. Achieving 15% overall STEG efficiency thus requires an absorber efficiency above 85%, and we consider two methods to achieve this: solar-selective absorbers and thermally insulating cavities. When the TEG and absorber subsystem models are combined, we expect that the STEG modeled here could achieve 15% efficiency with optical concentration between 250 and 300 suns.     

Self-Contained Thermoelectric Generator for Cell Phones

Results of research and development of a 1 W thermoelectric generator for cell phones are presented. A physical model of the generator with catalytic combustion of gas fuel is proposed. A computer simulation method is used to determine the optimal parameters of the thermopile, catalytic heat source, and microgenerator heat rejection system whereby the efficiency of gas combustion heat conversion into electrical energy is a factor of two higher compared with existing analogs. The generator design is described, and results of experimental research on its parameters and the charging rate of cell phone batteries with capacity of 900 mA h to 1600 mA h are given. In the self-contained operating mode of various low-power devices, the elaborated thermoelectric generator with a catalytic heat source is an alternative to traditional sources of chemical energy.     

Performance Study of a Double-Pass Thermoelectric Solar Air Collector with Flat-Plate Reflectors

In this paper the results of the influence of flat-plate reflectors made of aluminum foil on the performance of a double-pass thermoelectric (TE) solar air collector are presented. The proposed TE solar collector with reflectors was composed of transparent glass, an air gap, an absorber plate, TE modules, a rectangular fin heat sink, and two flat-plate reflectors. The flat-plate reflectors were placed on two sides of the TE solar collector (east and west directions). The TE solar collector was installed on a one-axis sun-tracking system to obtain high solar radiation. Direct and reflected incident solar radiation heats up the absorber plate so that a temperature difference is created across the TE modules to generate a direct current. Only a small part of the absorbed solar radiation is converted to electricity, while the rest increases the temperature of the absorber plate. Ambient air flows through the heat sink located in the lower channel to gain heat. The heated air then flows to the upper channel, where it receives additional heating from the absorber plate. Improvements to the thermal energy and electrical power outputs of the system can be achieved by the use of the double-pass collector system with reflectors and TE technology. It was found that the optimum position of the reflectors is 60°, which gave significantly higher thermal energy and electrical power outputs compared with the TE solar collector without reflectors.     

Evaluation of the Thermal Comfort of a Thermoelectric Ceiling Cooling Panel (TE-CCP) System

This present work evaluates the cooling performance and thermal comfort of a thermoelectric ceiling cooling panel (TE-CCP) system composed of 36 TE modules. The cold side of the TE modules was fixed to an aluminum ceiling panel to cool a test chamber of 4.5 m³ volume, while a copper heat exchanger with circulating cooling water at the hot side of the TE modules was used for heat release. Thermal acceptability assessment was performed to find out whether the indoor environment met the ASHRAE Standard-55's 80% acceptability criteria. The standard was met with the TE-CCP system operating at 1 A of current flow with a corresponding cooling capacity of 201.6 W, which gives the COP of 0.82 with an average indoor temperature of 27°C and 0.8 m/s indoor air velocity.     

Design of a Miniaturized Thermoelectric Generator Using Micromachined Silicon Substrates

This paper presents the design of a compact (~1 cm³) thermoelectric (TE) generator intended to generate power locally for sensor/electronic device applications using hot gases (~100°C to 400°C). The design employs 13-mm-diameter, ~0.36-mm-thick (48 mm³) silicon-micromachined TE modules that are stacked to form a cylindrical, finned heat exchanger. The stacked structure is intended to establish a large, uniform temperature gradient across radially oriented thermopiles in each module. Analytical heat transfer and electrical circuit models are used to design and optimize the thermopile for maximum output power under microfabrication and system-level constraints. Optimized structures using PbTe and Bi₂Te₃ thin films are predicted to achieve output power levels of 1.3 mW per module (26.7 mW/cm³) and 0.83 mW per module (17.4 mW/cm³), respectively, for hot gas at 400°C.     

Progress Report on BSST-Led US Department of Energy Automotive Waste Heat Recovery Program

As global consumption of energy continues to increase at an exponential rate, the need to find technologies that can help reduce this rate of consumption, particularly in passenger vehicles, is imperative. This paper provides a progress report on the BSST-led US Department of Energy-sponsored automotive thermoelectric waste heat recovery project, which has transitioned from phase 3 and is completing phase 4. Thermoelectric generator (TEG) development will be discussed, including modeling and thermal cycling of subassemblies. The design includes the division of the TEG into different temperature zones, where the subassembly materials and aspect ratios are optimized to match the temperature gradients for the particular zone. Test results for a phase 3 quarter-scale device of the phase 4 high-temperature TEG will be discussed, where power outputs of up to 125 W were achieved on a 600°C hot-air test bench. The design of the TEG, which uses high-power-density segmented thermoelectric elements, has evolved from a planar design in phase 3 to a cylindrical design in phase 4. The culmination of phase 4 includes testing of the generator on a dynamometer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory with a high-performance production engine.     

Thermoelectric Generator for a Stationary Diesel Plant

This paper describes the development and testing of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) using the exhaust heat of a 50-kW stationary diesel power plant. The generator consists of six units that represent primary generators for each diesel engine cylinder. Each primary generator comprises five sections with gas heat exchangers, thermoelectric modules, and liquid heat exchangers. The sections were optimized for the exhaust gas operating temperatures. The generator electric power was 2.1 kW at rated power of 2.2 kW, corresponding to 4.4% of the diesel plant electric power.     

Improved room-temperature thermoelectric characteristics in F4TCNQ-doped CNT yarn/P3HT composite by controlled doping

High room-temperature thermoelectric performance is important for low-grade waste heat power generation as there are plenty of heat thrown away uselessly in our daily life, most of which are below 100 °C. However, most of the thermoelectric materials are limited to high temperature application. In this work, room-temperature thermoelectric power factor of carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn is improved by controlled doping, which is achieved by making composite with poly 3-hexylthiophene −2, 5-diyl (P3HT) followed by doping with 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrafluo-7, 7, 8, 8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ). The temperature-dependent Seebeck coefficient based on power–law model suggests that P3HT shifts the Fermi energy of CNT yarn towards the valence band edge, and reduces the ionic scattering and carrier relaxation time. As a result, the Seebeck coefficient is increased while the variation of Seebeck coefficient with temperature is reduced, and hence, the room-temperature thermoelectric power factor is improved. With controlled doping, the power factor of CNT yarn/P3HT composite reaches to 1640–2160 μW m⁻¹K⁻² at the temperature range of 25–100 °C, which is higher than that of CNT yarn alone.     

Bioinspired Intelligent Solar-Responsive Thermally Conductive Pyramidal Phase Change Composites with Radially Oriented Layered Structures toward Efficient Solar–Thermal–Electric Energy Conversion

To remedy the drawbacks of weak solar-thermal conversion capability, low thermal conductivity, and poor structural stability of phase change materials, pyramidal graphitized chitosan/graphene aerogels (G-CGAs) with numerous radially oriented layers are constructed, in which the long-range radial alignment of graphene sheets is achieved by a novel directional-freezing strategy. A G-CGA/polyethylene glycol phase change composite exhibits a thermal conductivity of 2.90 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ with a latent heat of 178.8 J g⁻¹, and achieves a superior solar-thermal energy conversion and storage efficiency of 90.4% and an attractive maximum temperature of 99.7 °C under a light intensity of 200 mW cm⁻². Inspired by waterlilies, solar-responsive phase change composites (SPCCs) are designed for the first time by assembling the G-CGA/polyethylene glycol phase change composites with solar-driven bilayer films, which bloom by day and close by night. The heat preservation effect of the solar-driven films leads to a higher temperature of SPCC for a longer period at night. The SPCC-based solar–thermal–electric generator achieves output voltages of 499.2 and 1034.9 mV under light intensities of 200 and 500 mW cm⁻², respectively. Even after stopping the solar irradiation, the voltage output still occurs because of the latent heat release and the heat preservation of the films.     

Study on a cooling system based on thermoelectric cooler for thermal management of high-power LEDs

To improve the heat dissipation of high-power light-emitting diodes (LEDs), a cooling system with thermoelectric cooler (TEC) is investigated. In the experiment, the 6 × 3 W LEDs in two rows are used to compose the light source module and the environment temperature is 17 °C. The temperatures of heat dissipation substrate of LEDs and cooling fins of a radiator are measured by K type thermocouples to evaluate the cooling performance. Results show that the temperature of the substrate of LEDs reaches 26 °C without TEC. However, it is only 9 °C when the best refrigeration condition appears. The temperature of the substrate of LEDs decreases by 17 °C since the heat produced by LEDs is absorbed rapidly by TEC and dissipated through the radiator, and the junction temperature of LEDs reaches only 45 °C which is much lower than the absolute maximum temperature of LEDs (120 °C). The experiment demonstrates that the cooling system with TEC has good performance.     

Model for Increasing the Power Obtained from a Thermoelectric Generator Module

We have developed a model for finding the most efficient way of increasing the power obtained from a thermoelectric generator (TEG) module with a variety of operating conditions and limitations. The model is based on both thermoelectric principles and thermal resistance circuits, because a TEG converts heat into electricity consistent with these two theories. It is essential to take into account thermal contact resistance when estimating power generation. Thermal contact resistance causes overestimation of the measured temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of a TEG in calculation of the theoretical power generated, i.e. the theoretical power is larger than the experimental power. The ratio of the experimental open-loop voltage to the measured temperature difference, the effective Seebeck coefficient, can be used to estimate the thermal contact resistance in the model. The ratio of the effective Seebeck coefficient to the theoretical Seebeck coefficient, the Seebeck coefficient ratio, represents the contact conditions. From this ratio, a relationship between performance and different variables can be developed. The measured power generated by a TEG module (TMH400302055; Wise Life Technology, Taiwan) is consistent with the result obtained by use of the model; the relative deviation is 10%. Use of this model to evaluate the most efficient means of increasing the generated power reveals that the TEG module generates 0.14 W when the temperature difference is 25°C and the Seebeck coefficient ratio is 0.4. Several methods can be used triple the amount of power generated. For example, increasing the temperature difference to 43°C generates 0.41 W power; improving the Seebeck coefficient ratio to 0.65 increases the power to 0.39 W; simultaneously increasing the temperature difference to 34°C and improving the Seebeck coefficient ratio to 0.5 increases the power to 0.41 W. Choice of the appropriate method depends on the limitations of system, the cost, and the environment.     

Thermoelectric Properties of Nanograined ZnO

Bulk ZnO with a grain size of 20 nm was successfully obtained by pulsed electric current sintering. The crystalline size was almost identical to that of the raw particles, because the sintering temperature was as low as 200°C. A pressure of 500 MPa effectively enhanced densification, leading to a relative density of >90% at 200°C. The small grain size led to a low thermal conductivity of 3 W/m K at room temperature, due to enhanced boundary scattering. The Seebeck coefficient was higher than that of micrograined ZnO with similar Ga doping (0.3 at.% Ga). However, the resistivity was increased by more than 1000 times. The temperature dependence of conductivity showed thermally activated conduction behavior, while that of micrograined ZnO exhibited metallic-like behavior. The thermoelectric properties suggest that a carrier trap in the nanograined ZnO hinders carrier transport. Surface modification of the ZnO nanoparticles by heat treatment in H₂ resulted in observable photoluminescence which was quenched in the starting nanoparticles, and led to a decrease in the resistivity of the sintered bulk, which indicates that control of surface defects on the nanoparticles is crucial for enhancement of the thermoelectric properties of nanograined ZnO.