High efficiency Thermo-Electric power generator

Abstract Thermo-Electric (TE) power generation is an attractive method for the direct conversion of thermal energy into electrical one. Both the TE material properties and the power generator architecture play a fundamental role in the achievement of high energy conversion efficiencies. The paper focuses on the TE module architecture design, as well as on the sub-components manufacturing and assembly. Segmented TE power generators, characterized by a counter-current arrangement of the hot and cold gaseous streams, and a catalytic combustion chamber to ignite an air/fuel mixture, were designed and manufactured (SiC monolith heat exchangers, catalysts and supports for the combustion chamber, system housing). As TE materials, commercial Bismuth Telluride cells were adopted. Pd/NiCrO 4 and Pt/Al 2 O 3 catalysts were investigated to ignite H 2 , CH 4 and H 2 /CH 4 mixtures, at different gas flow rates and fuel concentrations. The results led to the design of a TE generator architecture providing flexible electrical loads through a modular assembly, with an improved thermal management which enhanced the energy conversion efficiency.

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