Approach to the Practical Use of Thermoelectric Power Generation

Abstract

The results of research and development in the Japanese national project ''Development for Advanced Thermoelectric Conversion Systems'' are summarized, and the approaches to practical use of advanced thermoelectric modules and power generation systems are presented. The 5-year national project was successfully completed in March 2007. Three kinds of highefficiency cascaded thermoelectric modules and two kinds of innovative Bi-Te thermoelectric modules were successfully developed. Heat cycle tests for three types of modules were also completed. Moreover, four types of advanced thermoelectric power generation systems were experimentally demonstrated for recovery of waste heat from the industrial and private sectors. In order to proceed further, thermoelectric power generation systems using practical heat sources were followed after installation of the developed modules. In parallel, various approaches for practical use by private companies, as well as plans for the next-phase project by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the Engineering Advancement Association (ENAA), were also followed. The scenarios to proceed to the commercial phase of thermoelectric power generation are discussed on the basis of the results of the national project.

Power Generation Performance of Thermoelectric Module Consisting of Sb-Doped Heusler Fe<SUB>2</SUB>VAl Sintered Alloy

“…As a result, obtained P from the module consisting of Sb-doped Heusler alloy is twice as high as that from the module consisting of Heusler alloy without Sb-doping. Although P density of 0.2 W/cm 2 on the heat source of 573 K is still lower than the state-of-the-art thermoelectric module, such as 1 W/cm 2 of a Bi-Te module, 9) we expect that the low-cost constituent element and the high durability of the Heusler alloy provide an advantage in practical application. …”

Comprehensive Review of Heat Transfer in Thermoelectric Materials and Devices

“…The major obstacle for their deployment is low efficiency. The best reported device level efficiency is up to 12-14 % 292,293 . Because ~60 % of energy usage is wasted as heat, thermoelectrics is often considered as a solution for recovering the waste heat as electricity.…”

Bridging silicon nanoparticles and thermoelectrics: phenylacetylene functionalization

“…1 There has also been an emphasis on the recycling of waste energy (energy scavenging) to improve the efficiency of many industrial and commercial processes. 2 Thermoelectric materials are able to take advantage of wasted or unutilized heat sources, such as in furnaces, 3 car exhausts, 4 and solar cells. 5 As a result thermoelectric materials have become an area of great interest.…”