Exhaust temperature and peltier element optimization of thermoelectric generator output

Abstract

The purpose of this study are to obtain (1) the optimum exhaust temperature for the highest voltage output, (2) the optimum number of peltier elements for the highest voltage output, (3) the optimum peltier circuit type for the highest voltage output. The analysis were done to obtain the optimum Seebeck coefficient as a representation of the thermoelectric generator performance. The design of this study is an L20 orthogonal matrix with three replications using a factorial design. The independent variables varied were exhaust temperature and number of peltier elements, while data analysis using ANOVA Two Way. Based on the results of the research data it can be concluded that the furnace wall temperature affects the TEG current output. The optimal wall temperature was 480 °C that produces a TEG current output of 168 mA. This indicates an increase in the temperature of the used metal smelting furnace walls cause the increase in the TEG current output. Meanwhile, the number of peltier elements influenced the TEG current output. The optimum values combination of exhaust temperature and peltier's number which cause the highest TEG output voltage are 480 °C and 6 (six) peltier element in series circuit, respectively.