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Enhanced Efficiency of Thermoelectric Generator by Optimizing Mechanical and Electrical Structures

Author

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  • Jinlong Chen

    (School of Energy Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China)

  • Kewen Li

    (School of Energy Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
    Department of Energy Resources Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

  • Changwei Liu

    (School of Energy Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China)

  • Mao Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Development and Utilization of Coking-coal Resources, China Pingmei Shenma Group, Pingdingshan 467000, China)

  • Youchang Lv

    (State Key Laboratory of Development and Utilization of Coking-coal Resources, China Pingmei Shenma Group, Pingdingshan 467000, China)

  • Lin Jia

    (School of Energy Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China)

  • Shanshan Jiang

    (School of Energy Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

Much attention has been paid to the application of low temperature thermal resources, especially for power generation in recent years. Most of the current commercialized thermal (including geothermal) power-generation technologies convert thermal energy to electric energy indirectly, that is, making mechanical work before producing electricity. Technology using a thermoelectric generator (TEG), however, can directly transform thermal energy into electricity through the Seebeck effect. TEG technology has many advantages such as compactness, quietness, and reliability because there are no moving parts. One of the biggest disadvantages of TEGs is the low efficiency from thermal to electric energy. For this reason, we redesigned and modified our previous 1 KW (at a temperature difference of around 120 °C) TEG system. The output power of the system was improved significantly, about 34.6% greater; the instantaneous efficiency of the TEG system could reach about 6.5%. Laboratory experiments have been conducted to measure the output power at different conditions: different connection modes between TEG modules, different mechanical structures, and different temperature differences between hot and cold sides. The TEG apparatus has been tested and the data have been presented. This kind of TEG power system can be applied in many thermal and geothermal sites with low temperature resources, including oil fields where fossil and geothermal energies are coproduced.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinlong Chen & Kewen Li & Changwei Liu & Mao Li & Youchang Lv & Lin Jia & Shanshan Jiang, 2017. "Enhanced Efficiency of Thermoelectric Generator by Optimizing Mechanical and Electrical Structures," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:10:y:2017:i:9:p:1329-:d:110806
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Pashchenko, Dmitry, 2018. "First law energy analysis of thermochemical waste-heat recuperation by steam methane reforming," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 478-487.
    3. Ibeagwu, Onyebuchi Isreal, 2019. "Modelling and comprehensive analysis of TEGs with diverse variable leg geometry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 90-106.
    4. Azeez mohammed Hussein, Hind & Zulkifli, Rozli & Faizal Bin Wan Mahmood, Wan Mohd & Ajeel, Raheem K., 2022. "Structure parameters and designs and their impact on performance of different heat exchangers: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    5. Martí Comamala & Toni Pujol & Ivan Ruiz Cózar & Eduard Massaguer & Albert Massaguer, 2018. "Power and Fuel Economy of a Radial Automotive Thermoelectric Generator: Experimental and Numerical Studies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-21, October.
    6. Jing-Hui Meng & Hao-Chi Wu & Tian-Hu Wang, 2019. "Optimization of Two-Stage Combined Thermoelectric Devices by a Three-Dimensional Multi-Physics Model and Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-24, July.
    7. Chenqi Tang & Lingen Chen & Huijun Feng & Wenhua Wang & Yanlin Ge, 2020. "Power Optimization of a Modified Closed Binary Brayton Cycle with Two Isothermal Heating Processes and Coupled to Variable-Temperature Reservoirs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-21, June.
    8. Zdenek Machacek & Wojciech Walendziuk & Vojtech Sotola & Zdenek Slanina & Radek Petras & Miroslav Schneider & Zdenek Masny & Adam Idzkowski & Jiri Koziorek, 2021. "An Investigation of Thermoelectric Generators Used as Energy Harvesters in a Water Consumption Meter Application," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-22, June.
    9. Song Lv & Zuoqin Qian & Dengyun Hu & Xiaoyuan Li & Wei He, 2020. "A Comprehensive Review of Strategies and Approaches for Enhancing the Performance of Thermoelectric Module," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-24, June.
    10. Martí Comamala & Ivan Ruiz Cózar & Albert Massaguer & Eduard Massaguer & Toni Pujol, 2018. "Effects of Design Parameters on Fuel Economy and Output Power in an Automotive Thermoelectric Generator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-28, November.
    11. Björn Pfeiffelmann & Ali Cemal Benim & Franz Joos, 2021. "Water-Cooled Thermoelectric Generators for Improved Net Output Power: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-29, December.

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