Design and experiment of thermoelectric asphalt pavements with power-generation and temperature-reduction functions

Abstract

Asphalt pavements tend to absorb solar energy and accumulate heat, which results in several negative effects. They contribute to the urban heat-island effect, plastic deformation of pavements, and aging of asphalt materials. One solution is to convert or transfer the pavement heat. A brand new road thermoelectric generator system (RTEGS) is designed for this purpose. The system added three modules to the traditional asphalt pavement structure: heat-conduction, thermoelectric-conversion, and cold-end cooling. The modules convert heat absorbed in asphalt pavements to electrical energy and reduce the pavement surface temperature. Field testing of the new system subject to a full seasonal change (half a year) was conducted. The data of temperature reduction and voltage output in a field environment were obtained. The results showed that the system reduced the pavement surface temperature by 8-9°C in hot seasons, and the electrical output from an asphalt pavement of size 300 mm × 300 mm × 100 mm reached 0.564 V. At this output, a 10,000 m 2 (1 km long and 10 m wide) pavement area would generate about 33 kWh of electrical energy in a single day in the summer, not considering the scale effects of the RTEGS. The system provides a new approach to alleviate the urban heat-island effect, and to convert and utilize solar heat absorbed in asphalt pavement.

Energy harvesting from pavements and roadways: A comprehensive review of technologies, materials, and challenges

“…Similar works on TEG systems for pavement energy harvesting were reported by Yu et al, Kim et al, Jiang et al, and Lee et al Ortega performed FEM simulations to optimize the shape of TEG system on an asphalt pavement with the objective of maximizing the thermal gradient. Very recently, Jiang et al developed an improved TEG system, which comprised modules of heat‐conduction, thermoelectric‐conversion, and cold‐end cooling. On‐site testing for 6 months revealed that the system could reduce the pavement surface temperature by 8°C to 9°C in hot seasons, and the electrical power generated from an asphalt pavement of size 300 mm × 300 mm × 100 mm was 3300 kWh/km 2 in a single day in summer.…”

A review of eco-friendly functional road materials

“…The decreasing efficiency of solar panels after abrasion by vehicles and accumulation of dust should be addressed, along with riding comfort, skid resistance, and reparability [123]. Currently, the use of temperature gradient-based thermoelectric pavement technology is limited by its low power-generating efficiency [125,144,145].…”

High- and Low-Temperature Properties of Layered Silicate-Modified Bitumens: View from the Nature of Pristine Layered Silicate

“…Bitumen pavement has been extensively employed in China, in view of its excellent properties such as low noise and good driving comfort [1]. In response to pavement distresses caused by the increasing traffic volume, loads, and other factors in early service conditions, virgin bitumen is usually required to be modified [2].…”