Survey and analysis of digital thermoelectric-generator based power system

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to report the modeling, design and build analysis of thermoelectric module (TEM) with realistic conditions for electrical power generation. It gives an insight to static and dynamic modeling with temperature dependent parametric variations and computation of various TEM parameters for modeling power generators. This paper demonstrates the undergraduate engineering technology student-driven research at our university in this arena. It depicts the application of the multi-agent approach which allowed the student team to take full control of the project from inception to completion. The team developed and built a microprocessor based prototype thermo-electric generator for waste heat recovery (module and heat exchanger), computed and analyzed the optimal power delivery by judicious material selection. The dynamic model developed under MATLAB and COMSOL MultiPhysics environment with a consideration of its dependence on materials and temperature will be explored. The microcontroller manages and regulates other systems components. The autonomous device control by a micro-controller gives the flexibility to estimate the efficiency, power, voltage and current parameters and help validate the efficacy of the developed model under dynamic operating conditions resulting in optimum thermo-electric power generation. The ultimate design goal is to capture possible latent potential heat energy that tends to get lost from normal industrial mechanism processes thereby save energy and promote the modular design for satellites and space applications. It furnishes an alternative route for green energy with renewed design emphasis on semi-conductor technology instead of traditional analog mechanization. Finally, the results of the survey analyzing this learning methodology will also be discussed. This will go a long way in motivating engineering technology students to conduct potential future research, and reinforcing the best practices for life-long learning.