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Metal Thermoelectrics: An Economical Solution to Large Scale Waste Heat Recovery

Henderson, Erik
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1512038554977884

Abstract Details

2017, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering and Applied Science: Electrical Engineering.
Metal based thermoelectric materials have high power factors and very low cost. However their high thermal conductivity gives them a low efficiency. Metal thermoelectrics were heavily investigated in the early 1900’s, but fell out of favor for new higher efficiency semiconducting thermoelectric materials. They have since only seen use in thermocouples due to their wide temperature range. By lowering their fill rate and making the elements longer, however, the effects of their thermal conductivity can be minimized to achieve a high power output. In this thesis, metal thermoelectrics are investigated as a cost effective solution to low-grade waste heat recovery applications. Scale model thermoelectric modules were developed using wire-type metal thermoelectric elements to demonstrate the power output performance with cost analysis in the applications of a wood-burning fireplace and a concentrated solar thermoelectric system. Careful design optimization based on thermal matching was also performed prior to the module fabrication using an online simulation tool and a finite element simulation software. A peak power output of 14.38 W per ½ square meter was achieved, which corresponds to a power cost as low as 3.4 $/W, a value comparable to that of the state-of-the-art photovoltaic. This demonstrates that metal thermoelectrics can be a viable technology of generating off grid power using small fires. A similar device design was tested in solar heat concentration but yielded a much higher power cost of 76.6 $/W. Further improvement of performance may be possible with an improved system-level design for enhanced heat transfer.
Je-Hyeong Bahk, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Chong Ahn, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Punit Boolchand, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Milind Jog, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
97 p.
Electrical Engineering
Metal; Thermoelectric; Economic; Solar Heat; Fire; Off-Grid

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Henderson, E. (2017). Metal Thermoelectrics: An Economical Solution to Large Scale Waste Heat Recovery [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1512038554977884

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Henderson, Erik. Metal Thermoelectrics: An Economical Solution to Large Scale Waste Heat Recovery. 2017. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1512038554977884.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Henderson, Erik. "Metal Thermoelectrics: An Economical Solution to Large Scale Waste Heat Recovery." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1512038554977884

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1512038554977884
197
© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.