Development of Low-Cost Remote Controlled Generators based on BiTe Thermoelectric Modules
This paper presents a new thermogenerator based on moderate-temperature (up to 175°C) BiTe modules available on the open market. Despite this handicap relative to commercial thermogenerators based on high-temperature proprietary-technology PbBi modules (up to 560°C), this new design may become econo...
| Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | article |
| Status: | Published version |
| Publication Date: | 2013 |
| Country: | Argentina |
| Institution: | Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas |
| Repository: | CONICET Digital (CONICET) |
| Language: | English |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/21271 |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/11336/21271 |
| Access Level: | Open access |
| Keyword: | Bite Thermoelectric Modules Thermoelectricity Thermogenerator Electrical Generators Prototype Thermalhydraulic Design https://purl.org/becyt/ford/2.2 https://purl.org/becyt/ford/2 |
| Summary: | This paper presents a new thermogenerator based on moderate-temperature (up to 175°C) BiTe modules available on the open market. Despite this handicap relative to commercial thermogenerators based on high-temperature proprietary-technology PbBi modules (up to 560°C), this new design may become economically competitive due to its innovative thermal sink. Our thermal sink is based on a free-convection water loop built with standard tubing and household hot-water radiators, leading to a more practical, modular design. So, the specific cost of about 55,000 USD/kW obtained for this 120-W prototype is improved to 33,000 USD/kW for a 1-kW unit, which represents about half the price of commercial thermogenerators. Moreover, considering recently launched BiTe modules (that withstand up to 320°C), our proposition could have an even more favorable outlook. |
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