Evaluation of the power-generation capacity of wearable thermoelectric power generator

Employing thermoelectric generators (TEGs) to gather heat dissipating from the human body through the skin surface is a promising way to supply electronic power to wearable and pocket electronics. The uniqueness of this method lies in its direct utilization of the temperature difference between the environment and the human body, and complete elimination of power maintenance problems. However, most of the previous investigations on thermal energy harvesters are confined to the TEG and electronic system themselves because of the low quality of human energy. We evaluate the energy generation capacity of a wearable TEG subject to various conditions based on biological heat transfer theory. Through numerical simulation and corresponding parametric studies, we find that the temperature distribution in the thermopiles affects the criterion of the voltage output, suggesting that the temperature difference in a single point can be adopted as the criterion for uniform temperature distribution. However, the criterion has to be shifted to the sum of temperature difference on each thermocouple when the temperature distribution is inconsistent. In addition, the performance of the thermal energy harvester can be easily influenced by environmental conditions, as well as the physiological state and physical characteristics of the human body. To further validate the calculation results for the wearable TEG, a series of conceptual experiments are performed on a number of typical cases. The numerical simulation provides a good overview of the electricity generation capability of the TEG, which may prove useful in the design of future thermal energy harvesters.     

Methodological reviews and analyses on the emerging research trends and progresses of thermoelectric generators

Thermoelectric generator is among the earliest initiated electricity‐harvesting methods. It is a very potential power harvester that can convert wasteful thermal energy into electricity. However, it often suffers from low energy conversion rate due to its inconsistent heat source, inefficient thermoelectric material (or thermoelement) performance, and incompetent structural issues. Progressively for the first time, detailed methodological surveys and analyses are made for bulk, thick, and thin films in this review. This is in order to accommodate better insights and comprehensions on the emerging trends and progresses of thermoelectric generators from 1989 to 2017. The research interests in thermoelectric generators have started back in 1989, and have continuously experienced emerging progresses in the number of studies over the last years. The methodological reviews and analyses of thermoelectric generator showed that almost 46.6% of bulk and 46.1% of thick and thin film research works, respectively, are actively progressed in 2014 to 2017. Nearly 86.2% of bulk and 44.1% of thick and thin film thermoelectric generators are realizing in between 0.001 and 4 μW cm^?2 K^?2, while 43.1% of thick and thin films are earning among 10^?6 to 0.001 μW cm^?2 K^?2. The highest achievement made until now is 2.5 W cm^?2 at a temperature difference of 140 K and thermoelectric efficiency factor of 127.55 μW cm^?2 K^?2. This achievement remarked positive elevation for the field and interest in thermoelectric power generation. Consecutively, the research trends of fundamental devices' structure, thermoelement, fabrication, substrate, and heat source characteristics are analyzed too, along with the desired improvement highlights for the applications of thermoelectric generators.     

Modeling, experimental study on the heat transfer characteristics of thermoelectric generator

This paper investigates the heat transfer characteristics of a thermoelectric generator. The influence of heat dissipation intensity to the sub-thermal resistances distribution is experimentally studied. Based on the thermal network analysis and finite time thermodynamics, an analytical model including all thermal resistances (in both thermocouples and external heat exchangers) is developed to predict the performance of the generator. The results show that the computed values of output power agree well with the experimental values. The heat transfer enhancement on the generator cold side greatly reduces the cold side temperature and thermal resistance, and obviously improves the output power. Compare with air natural convection cooling, the main thermal resistance changes from the resistance between the fins and the ambient to the thermal contact resistances between the generator and the heat sink at the conditions of forced convection and water cooling. This study may be guide the optimization of generator structure.     

Experimental investigation of a novel heat pipe thermoelectric generator for waste heat recovery and electricity generation

Waste heat recovery helps reduce energy consumption, decreases carbon emissions, and enhances sustainable energy development. In China, energy-intensive industries dominate the industrial sector and have significant potential for waste heat recovery. We propose a novel waste heat recovery system assisted by a heat pipe and thermoelectric generator (TEG) namely, heat pipe TEG (HPTEG),to simultaneously recover waste heat and achieve electricity generation. Moreover, the HPTEG provides a good approach to bridging the mismatch between energy supply and demand. Based on the technical reserve on high-temperature heat pipe manufacturing and TEG device integration, a laboratory-scale HPTEG prototype was established to investigate the coupling performances of the heat pipes and TEGs. Static energy conversion and passive thermal transport were achieved with the assistance of skutterudite TEGs and potassium heat pipes. Based on the HPTEG prototype, the heat transfer and the thermoelectric conversion performances were investigated. Potassium heat pipes exhibited excellent heat transfer performance with 95% thermal efficiency. The isothermality of such a heat pipe was excellent, and the heat pipe temperature gradient was within 15°C. The TEG's thermoelectric conversion efficiency of 7.5% and HPTEG's prototype system thermoelectric conversion efficiency of 6.2% were achieved. When the TEG hot surface temperature reached 625°C, the maximum electrical output power of the TEG peaked at 183.2 W, and the open-circuit voltage reached 42.2 V. The high performances of the HPTEG prototype demonstrated the potential of the HPTEG for use in engineering applications.     

Fiber-based flexible thermoelectric power generator

Flexible thermoelectric power generators fabricated by evaporating thin films on flexible fiber substrates are demonstrated to be feasible candidates for waste heat recovery. An open circuit voltage of 19.6 μV K per thermocouple junction is measured for Ni–Ag thin films, and a maximum power of 2 nW for 7 couples at ΔT = 6.6 K is measured. Heat transfer analysis is used to project performance for several other material systems, with a predicted power output of 1 μW per couple for Bi₂Te₃/Sb₂Te₃-based fiber coatings with a hot junction temperature of 100 °C. Considering the performance of woven thermoelectric cloths or fiber composites, relevant properties and dimensions of individual thermoelectric fibers are optimized.     

相变传热在半导体热电转换中的应用

为了解决温差发电技术中发电片热端与尾气间热损失大造成输出功率和热电转化效率不高的问题,提出在尾气与温差发电片热端加装相变传热结构,并计算了加装相变结构后发电器的输出功率和效率,同时与相同传热面积时无相变传热情况进行了对比,并模拟了蒸发段管数和冷凝段高度对发电器输出功率及效率的影响。结果表明,相变结构可提高发电器的输出功率及转化效率,且输出功率随冷凝段长度增加出现峰值,蒸发段管数越多,峰值对应的冷凝段长度越长,而发电效率则随冷凝段长度增加而减少;蒸发段管数增加,输出功率和发电效率均增大。     

The influence of operating and device parameters on the maximum efficiency and the maximum output power of thermoelectric generator

Thermoelectric power generators are one of the promising green energy sources. The operating and the generator parameters influence the generator output performance. In the present study, the influence of the operating and the generator parameters on the maximum output power and the efficiency of the thermoelectric power generator are examined. The output power corresponding to the maximum efficiency and the maximum attainable output power of the generator are compared. It is found that the maximum power of the thermoelectric generator corresponding to the high Figure of Merit is very sensitive to the operating temperature. The maximum power attainable is larger than that its counterpart corresponding to the maximum generator efficiency. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Configuration of segmented leg for the enhanced performance of segmented thermoelectric generator

Thermal analysis of a segmented thermoelectric generator is performed, and the segmented leg configurations maximizing the efficiency and the output power are formulated. The effect of operating conditions such as external load resistance, the temperatures of hot and cold junctions, on the device performance is studied. The segmented thermoelectric generator has the leg configuration consisting of the combination of modified lead telluride and modified bismuth telluride. The segmented thermoelectric generator performance, such as device efficiency and output power, is compared with those corresponding to a single material leg configuration (modified lead telluride or modified bismuth telluride) for various operating conditions. It is found that a unique value of the segmented leg combination maximizes the efficiency and the output power for each operating condition. The variation in the operating conditions changed the locus points of the maximum efficiency and the maximum output power. The segmented thermoelectric generator gives rise to the higher device efficiency and the output power than those of the single material leg configuration, especially for the low external load resistance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the volume power density of radial thermoelectric generators

We examine the volume power density of radial thermoelectric generators (TEGs). Radial, or tubular, TEGs have been considered as an alternative to the usual flat-plate TEGs due to its improved geometric match to typical curved heat sources and high surface power density. However, surface power density is not the only important performance index in realistic situations. Especially for TEGs with inorganic materials that have high raw material prices, volume power density can be important as well. In this note, an analytic model of a radial TEG is studied with a numerical trial-and-error approach for investigating its volume power density. At the same time, an alternative, approximate method of estimating the maximum power of the radial TEG is presented. Using these two approaches, we estimate the volume power density of a skutterudite-based radial TEG and compare the results to those of a flat-plate TEG. The volume power density of the radial TEG is significantly lower than that of the flat-plate TEG. For example, our calculation for a representative case with free convection on the cold side shows that the volume power density of the radial TEG will be 107 W/m³ at best. The result improves with forced convection, and our calculation for a representative case with forced convection on the cold side exhibits the maximum volume power density of 24 100 W/m³ . All these values turn out to be smaller roughly by one order of magnitude than the maximum volume power densities of comparable flat-plate TEGs. Such a low volume power density indicates lower economic feasibility of the radial TEG with expensive inorganic thermoelectric materials. This is also explicitly discussed by presenting the high cost per watt of the radial TEG. It is therefore suggested that radial TEGs with less expensive organic materials may be more acceptable than those with inorganic ones.     

应用温差发电器降低锅炉排烟热损失

锅炉是一种特殊结构部件，既可以为热电效应为基础的温差发电器提供热源，也可以为其提供冷源，这为应用温差发电器创造了条件。应用温差发电器可以降低排烟温度，减少排烟热损失。文章对应用温差发电器的可能性以及应用后的效率进行了分析，结论是可以提高锅炉效率；提出了如何应用温差发电器件的方法．并对锅炉应用温差发电器降低排烟损失应该考虑的问题进行了分析。     

ZT值温度依存性对温差发电器热电性能的影响

为了评估热电材料ZT值温度依存性对热电发电器性能的影响,基于HZ-20商用热电材料的热物性参数,分别采用定物性与变物性的计算方法,对温差发电器在具有不同热源温度下的工作性能进行理论研究。研究结果表明,当采用定物性方法计算时(即不考虑ZT值温度依存性),输出功率及相应转换效率的计算值都较采用变物性计算时存在一定的偏差。当半导体热端温度低于定物性计算时采用的定性温度值时,偏差很小,但随着半导体热端温度的继续增加,偏差则越来越大,高热端温度下计算得到的计算偏差达30%左右。因此,热电材料ZT值温度依存性对温差发电器热电性能的影响不容忽视。     

Multiresponse optimization of exhaust thermoelectric generator using Taguchi-based gray relation analysis

The best operating condition of the exhaust thermoelectric generator (ETEG) provides more power output and low-pressure drop (low-PD). So it is required to optimize the operating condition of the ETEG. In the present work, Taguchi's L₁₈(6¹ 3³) orthogonal array was chosen to find the optimal parameters. Analysis of variance was used to determine the percent contribution of the control factors such as engine loads (ELs), different types of heat exchangers (HEs) with and without inserts, water flow rate (WFR), and external load resistance (ELR) on the thermoelectric power output and PD in the HE. The confirmation test was carried out at optimum levels for the regression equations and Taguchi method. Gray relational analysis was performed to find the optimum value of the power output and PD. It is observed that the optimal operating condition is EL₆ HE₁ WFR₃ ELR₂ (EL₆ = 10 kg, HE₁ = G-type test section, WFR₃ = 0.08 kg/s, and ELR₂ = 40 Ω).     

An experimental investigation on electrical performance and characterization of thermoelectric generator

Thermoelectric generator (TEG) is an attractive renewable energy source that utilizes waste heat energy from various sources to produce electricity. In this paper, a novel method has been proposed to investigate and characterize the TEG module by determining the exact maximum power point (MPP) and estimate the TEG module dynamic parameters. A DC-DC boost converter with a simple control method is proposed to obtain I-V and I-P characteristics and extract the exact MPP of the TEG module. The electrical performance and dynamic parameters such as Seebeck coefficient and internal resistance of the TEG module have been estimated at the MPP. MATLAB software package is used to model and simulate the complete system. Then, by using a low-cost Arduino microcontroller and a standard TEG module (HZ-14HV), a test rig is built to examine the electrical performance of the TEG. A comparison among simulation, experimental, and manufacturing data sheet is done to validate the accuracy of the proposed system. The proposed system tests and characterizes a TEG module at five values of temperature differences in the range from 377 K to 457 K and analyses the MPP generated in the range from 5 to 13.8 W . The obtained results confirm that there is good agreement among the simulation, experimental, and data sheet. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time to use the boost converter to estimate the electrical characteristics and the dynamic parameters of the TEG. It can be said that the proposed DC-DC boost converter with the suggested control method is helpful for testing commercial TEG modules before implementing in a TEG system.     

Sensitivity analysis of the effects of the thermal parameters of exhaust gases on the output of a thermoelectric generator

Recovering the dissipated heat from exhaust is a useful means of reducing the energy consumption level as well as cutting down on environmental pollution. An efficient technique for recovering this lost heat is the use of thermoelectric generators, which directly convert the dissipated heat into useful electrical energy. In this paper, a whole thermoelectric generator system installed on the exhaust pipe of a vehicle has been modeled, and the effects of thermal parameters on the output of this thermoelectric generator have been measured and evaluated by means of sensitivity analysis. The E‐Fast sensitivity analysis method has been used in this study. The sensitivity analysis results indicate that, among the thermal parameters examined, the temperature of gases entering the heat sink installed at exhaust pipe outlet () has the greatest influence (37%) and the flow rate of fluid entering the heatsink installed on the cold side of thermoelectric modules () has the second greatest influence (17%) on the output power of the considered thermoelectric generator. By using these results, the best cases of hot exhaust gases from various industries and vehicles with the highest potential of recovering the dissipated energy and heat from them by thermoelectric generators can be identified.     

Experimental analysis and evaluation of a vacuum enclosed concentrated solar thermoelectric generator coupled with a spectrally selective absorber coating

Significant research in the past decade has been focused on quantitatively and qualitatively validating potential of solar thermoelectric modules to harness electricity. In the present study, we have experimentally analysed steady-state temperature variation of a spectrally selective solar absorber coating (α?=?0.954, ε?=?0.13) with variation in solar irradiation flux (concentration ratios?=?39, 50 and 65) using Fresnel lens and vacuum enclosure pressure (200?mbar to 900?mbar in steps of 100?mbar). It is observed that the experimental results so obtained go hand in hand with a COMSOL simulation model of the set-up. Further, we have carried out performance analysis of a solar thermoelectric generator (STEG) set-up enclosed in vacuum conditions equipped with Fresnel lens and absorber set-up coupled to Bi₂Te₃ thermoelectric module array electrically connected in series. The results depict a maximum power output of 0.91?W and a peak efficiency of 2.21% at a hot-side temperature of 642?K.     

Parametric study on the thermoelectric conversion performance of a concentrated solar‐driven thermionic‐thermoelectric hybrid generator

A concentrated solar‐driven thermionic‐thermoelectric hybrid generator composed of solar heat collector, thermionic generator (TIG), thermoelectric generator (TEG), and radiator is introduced in this paper. A theoretical model of thermoelectric conversion performance for the hybrid generator is built up based on the heat source of the concentrated solar radiation rather than isothermal heat source. Based on the model, the impacts of related parameters on the internal temperature distributions, output power, and efficiency have been discussed. Moreover, the optimal operating conditions of the TIG‐TEG hybrid device at its maximum output power and efficiency have been determined. Results show that when cascading the TEG with the TIG, there is very little change of the TIG cathode temperature in most conditions, namely, T_C ≈ T_C′. Meanwhile, the anode temperature becomes higher, and the TEG cold end temperature T₂ is close to the anode temperature T_A′ for the single TIG system, ie, T_A > T_A′ ≈ T₂. In theory, the optimal concentrated solar radiation I₀ for the maximum output power P_max and the maximum efficiency η_max differs, which are I_0,P = 2.5 × 10⁶ W/m² and I_0,η = 2 × 10⁶ W/m², respectively, whereas the output power and efficiency of the TIG‐TEG hybrid system simultaneously reach their maximum values when the optimal TIG anode temperature T_A,opt = 1025 K, the optimal TIG output voltage V_opt = 2 V, and the optimal ratio of load resistance to internal resistance (R₂/R)_opt = 2. However, in practice, the parameter values of I₀, Φ_A, and T_A should be strictly controlled under 1.8 × 10⁶ W/m², 1.4 eV, and 660 K, respectively. Generally, the maximum output power and efficiency of the hybrid TIG‐TEG system are, respectively, 35% and 4% higher than that of the single TIG.     

Power generation characteristics of a sandwich‐type self‐heating thermoelectric generator with spatially varying embedded heat source

Power generation characteristics of a sandwich‐type thermoelectric generator in which the heat source is embedded into thermoelectric elements are investigated. Our previous work on a similar concept only considered a uniform heat source distribution inside thermoelectric elements. In this work, the effect of the spatial distribution of a heat source is examined. In particular, the effect of the concentration of heat source near the one end, that is, the hot end, is intensively studied as a potential means of improving the efficiency of the device. Although the effects of heat source concentration in impractical cases without heat transfer limitations on the cold side remain ambiguous, it become clear that heat source concentration indeed has positive effects in more realistic cases with finite heat transfer coefficients imposed on the cold side. Because of the relatively low efficiency of typical thermoelectric generation, a significant amount of heat must be dissipated from the cold end of the thermoelectric element. Greater heat source concentration near the hot end leads to more effective utilization of available heat source, reduces the amount of heat rejected at the cold end, and lowers the hot end temperature of the thermoelectric element. Overall, it is suggested that heat source concentration can be used as a method to achieve more efficient operation and better structural integrity of the system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A model study for cyclic thermal loading and thermal performance of a thermoelectric generator

Thermal cyclic loading influences the life cycle of the thermoelectric device pins because of the thermal stress developed in the pins. Although thermal efficiency improves for different geometric configurations of the device pins, development of thermal stresses limit the selection of pin geometry in practical applications, particularly under cyclic thermal loading. Consequently, in the present study, thermal stress analysis of thermoelectric pins under cyclic thermal loading is carried out. The influence of thermoelectric pin geometry on the stress levels is examined when the device is subjected to the thermal cyclic loading. The predictions of thermal stress distribution are validated with the data presented in the open literature. It is found that pin geometric configuration has a significant effect on the stress levels developed in the pin when subjected to cyclic thermal loading. The pin configuration R_A = 1 (parallel pins) results in the minimum value of the maximum von Mises stress in the pins as compared to that corresponding to other configurations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A thermoelectric generator and water-cooling assisted high conversion efficiency polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic system

Solar energy has been increasing its share in the global energy structure. However, the thermal radiation brought by sunlight will attenuate the efficiency of solar cells. To reduce the temperature of the photovoltaic (PV) cell and improve the utilization efficiency of solar energy, a hybrid system composed of the PV cell, a thermoelectric generator (TEG), and a water-cooled plate (WCP) was manufactured. The WCP cannot only cool the PV cell, but also effectively generate additional electric energy with the TEG using the waste heat of the PV cell. The changes in the efficiency and power density of the hybrid system were obtained by real time monitoring. The thermal and electrical tests were performed at different irradiations and the same experiment temperature of 22°C. At a light intensity of 1000 W/m², the steady-state temperature of the PV cell decreases from 86.8°C to 54.1°C, and the overall efficiency increases from 15.6% to 21.1%. At a light intensity of 800 W/m², the steady-state temperature of the PV cell decreases from 70°C to 45.8°C, and the overall efficiency increases from 9.28% to 12.59%. At a light intensity of 400 W/m², the steady-state temperature of the PV cell decreases from 38.5°C to 31.5°C, and the overall efficiency is approximately 3.8%, basically remain unchanged.     

Performance analysis of a hybrid solar thermoelectric generator

In this paper, a theoretical model is developed to investigate the performance of the hybrid solar thermoelectric generator (HSTEG) system, which is designed without (B-HSTEG) and with an evacuated glass tube (V-HSTEG). The heat loss, power output, thermal efficiency, and electrical efficiency of the B-HSTEG/V-HSTEG system are evaluated by analyzing the design parameters such as geometric solar concentration ratio, thermoelectric figure of merit, and cold-side inlet fluid temperature. The performance of the B-HSTEG is compared with the V-HSTEG system using two heat transfer fluids: water and Therminol VP-1. The maximum electrical efficiency of the B-HSTEG and V-HSTEG is estimated to be 12.2 and 15.6% (ZT = 3) with a corresponding thermal efficiency of about 61.9 and 60.3%, respectively. Overall, this paper provides a systematic performance analysis of HSTEG systems.