Enhanced Efficiency of Thermoelectric Generator by Optimizing Mechanical and Electrical Structures

• DOI: 10.3390/en10091329
• Publication Date: 2017-09-04T15:11:52Z
• Authors: Jinlong Chen; Kewen Li; Changwei Liu; Mao Li; Youchang Lv; Lin Jia; Shanshan Jiang
• Keywords: Thermoelectric generator; Electric potential energy; Thermal energy

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