Thermoelectric

A STUDY ON THE EFFICIENCY OF THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR

SYAZWANI BT MD YUSOF 51211108013

Report Submitted to Fulfill the Partial Requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electronics Universiti Kuala Lumpur MAY 2011

i

DECLARATION

I declare that this report entitle “ A Study On The Efficiency Of Thermoelectric Generator”

is the results of my own research excepts as cited in the references. The

report has not been accepted for any degree and is not concurrently submitted in candidature of any other degree.

Signature: ……………………………… ……………………………………………… ……………… Name: ………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………….. Date: ……………………………… ………………………………………………... ………………..... ..

ii

APPROVAL

We have examined this report and verify that it meets the program and University requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering Technolog y (Hons) In Electronics

Date:

Signature: …………………........................... Supervisor‟s Name: ………………….............. Official Stamp

iii

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Bismillahirrahmaanirrahim, In the name of Allah S.W.T, the most compassionate and the most merciful.

Firstly, thanks to Allah S.W.T because giving me a good health and huge courage and strength to do this final year project. Secondly, I would like to deeply express my gratitude and appreciation to my supervisor, Assc. Prof. Dr. Zulkifli Abdul Kadir Bakti for his guidance, support, encouragement and helping to finish my m y final year project. I would like to extend my sincere to all my friends, who has assisted and share the ideas, indirectly easier for me to complete this project. I wish to extend to everyone who has helped directly or in completing this project. Finally, my deep gratitude goes to my beloved mother, father, and brother for their blessing and prays.

iv

ABSTRACT

The thermoelectric generator (TEG) is a device that converting heat energy directly from the heat source to electricity. Before this, thermoelectric generator (TEG) is popular between NASA to power the spacecraft. It also has been use in to provide the small amount of electricity to oil and gas industry to power remote monitoring system. Thermoelectric generator (TEG) is a one of the latest technology to optimize the use of the nature sources in generating power other than solar thermo generator because solar generator only produce electricity during the daylight. Thermoelectric generator (TEG) is one of the additional alternatives that can be use to save our environment because it is from the waste-heat that convert into electricity power. In this project, it was developed thermoelectric generator (TEG) that can produce power to power on the light. The characteristics of this thermo electric module were test at different temperature before it has being use because in this project it chooses the more efficiency thermoelectric module. There are three advantages of thermoelectric generator (TEG): produce electricity generators directly from the flow of heat, silent operation, and no moving parts. Through testing and design the protot ype, it already have developed prototype that is capable to produce the electricity. In a future the efficiency of thermoelectric generator (TEG) will be improved to produce more power.

v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER

1

TITLE

PAGE

DECLARATION

ii

APPROVAL

iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

iv

ABSTRACT

v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

vi-ix

LIST OF TABLES

x

LIST OF FIGURES

xi-xii

TABLE OF SYMBOLS

xiii

TABLE OF APPENDICES

xiv

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

1

1.2 Project background

1

1.3 Project Statement

3

1.4 Objectives

3

1.5 Scope of Project / Limitation

4

1.6 Summary of chapter

4

vi

2

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 History

5

2.1.1 Previous work

6

2.1.2 Present Work

8

2.2 Review of History

8

2.3 Summary

9

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

10

3.2 Block Diagram

11

3.2.1 Explanation

11

3.3 Hardware and Development

12

3.3.1 Block diagram (Project development) 3.3.2 Main components

12 13

3.4 The design of thermoelectric generator

17

3.5 Cleaning the dirty thermoelectric module

18

3.6 Thermoelectric generator (TEG) mounting

19

3.7 Thermoelectric generator (TEG) testing Process

20

3.8 Summary

21

vii

4

RESULTS

4.1 Introduction

22

4.2 Results obtain when the Th = 100°C and Tc = 0°

22

4.3 Results obtain by using difference load resistance at Thot = 138°C and Tcold = 32°C

25

4.4 Results of the characteristics of Platinum thin-film temperature sensor 4.5 Problems

5

29 30

4.5.1 Solution for problem 1

31


31


32


32

4.6 Analysis of completed research

32

4.7 Summary

33

CONCLUSION

5.1 Introduction

34

5.2 Conclusion

34

5.3 The advantages of thermoelectric generator

35

5.4 The disadvantages of thermoelectric

36

generator

viii

5.5 Project„s recommendation

36

37

REFERENCES

Appendix A

39

Appendix B

42

ix

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO.

4.1

4.2

TITLE

PAGE

The results of voltage when Th= 100°C, Tc=0°C and Tc= ambient temperature

25

The results of load resistance, load voltage,

25

load current and load power

4.3

The characteristics of platinum thin-film temperature sensor

29

x

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO.

TITLE

PAGE

2.1

Seebeck effect

6

2.2

The Thermattaix

7

2.3

Kerosene lamp

7

3.1

Block diagram of thermoelectric generator (TEG)

11

3.2

Block diagram of project development

12

3.3

The theory of operation of thermoelectric module

13

3.4

Water block liquid heat sink

14

3.5

Platinum thin-film temperature sensor

15

3.6

Camping stove

15

3.7

DC motor EG-530AD-6F

16

3.8

Water pump

17

3.9

Front view

17

3.10

Side view

18

3.11

Top view

18

3.12

Cleaning process

19

3.13

Mounting process

20

3.14

Testing process

21

4.1

Test the module by using hot water (100°C)

23

4.2

The open circuit voltage when the Th = 100°C and Tc= ambient temperature 4.3

Test the module by using hot water xi

23

(100°C) and ice (0°C) 4.4

24

The open circuit voltage when the Th = 100°C and Tc= 0°C

24

4.5

Graph load voltage versus load resistance

26

4.6

Graph load current versus load resistance

27

4.7

Graph load power versus load resistance

27

4.8

LED light on

28

4.9

Small DC motor EG-530AD-6F

28

4.10

The characteristics of platinum thin-film

4.11

temperature sensor

29

Thermoelectric module with burn wire

30

xii

TABLE OF SYMBOLS

TEG – Thermoelectric generator A – Ampere V – Voltage W - Watts R - Resistance C - Celcius l - Length ∆ - Teta ° - degree % - percent Ω - ohm

xiii

TABLE OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX

A

TITLE

PAGE

Datasheet for thermoelectric module form Everredtronics

B

39

Datasheet for Platinum temperature sensor from IST

42

xiv

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

The most popular method to produce the power is by using the fossil fuels but nowadays fossil fuels are getting harder to retrieve. The number of countries that are suffering due to the lack of electric energy is increasing everyday. People have seeking new alternative energy to replace the fossil fuels. There is another method that can be used to produce the electricity likes renewable energy such as solar energy and wind energy. They have limited use and it is dependent on the weather and the topography. The cost of these two energies are vey expensive.

1.2 Project Background

1

The thermoelectric generator (TEG) is the new technology that can replace the solar and wind energy. It was using to produce the electricity from the waste heat. In general, the thermoelectric generator converts the heat directly into the electricity using the voltage generated at the junction of two different metals. By using this thermoelectric generator (TEG), it will save our cost to produce electricity. By doing this research, it can improve on how to increase the performance of the efficiency of the generator. To improve the performance, it must focus on the thermoelectric module selection, and heat sink. In this thermoelectric generator, it used Seebeck effect. The thermoelectric module generates DC electricity as long as there is a temperature difference across the module. Temperature difference is the difference between the hot side and the cold side of the module. Difference temperature dictates the actual amount of power it can produce from the system. The greater the differential temperature of the hot side less than the cold side, the greater the amount of power it will be produced. There are three elements of a thermoelectric generator: i.

The support structure – Where the thermoelectric modules are located. The internal part of these structures is modified in order to absorb the most part of the heat. Basically copper, aluminum and steel are used because of their high thermal conductivity for easy transfer of heat. Copper is used to develop the body of the structure.

ii.

The thermoelectric module – Depending on the range of the temperatures. Silicon Germanium, Lead Telluride, or Bismuth Telluride modules are used.

iii.

The heat dissipation system – Which favors the heat transmission through thermoelectric modules. Water block liquid heat sink is used in this project.

2

1.3 Project Statement

Base on the research, there is an increasing demands and consumption of energy on earth. There are many alternative methods to produce power nowadays as thermoelectric generator because of its functionality. There are also other methods such as wind energy and solar energy. But it is too difficult to operate it because of its cost and weather. As an example solar energy, when it is rain there is no electricity it can produce because it is wet weather and there are no sunlight. It can only absorb the sunlight during the daylight. To make it useful to produce the electricity at any situation, thermoelectric generator has the advantages to replace the wind and solar energy. In this project, it uses heat sink and thermoelectric mod ule. The function of this project is to produce the electricity for generating light from stove by using the thermoelectric power generation. Before designing the thermoelectric generator; module, heat sink, and load have to be evaluate on how it will perform with the rest of the system to maximize the system efficiency and reduce cost. To produce a certain output power, the temperature differences have to be set to getting an approximate power. There is a problem when the system does not perform as expected such as the thermoelectric generator generates the output power is less than it expected. The problem is when the heat transfer has problem at the interface with the heat source or heat sink.

1.4 Objectives

The main objective of this project is to develop the device that use in electrical and mechanical term. Nowadays, there are increasing in demanding of renewable energy in the world. This project focused on thermoelectric behavior. The objectives of this project are: 3



To understand and identify the problem exits to produce the electricity from heat by using thermoelectric generator.



To study about the thermoelectric and how to make it an additional solution to replace the solar and wind technology.

1.5 Scope of project and limitation

Purpose of this project is to produce the electricity by using waste heat directly whenever there is a temperature difference between hot side and cold side. This project is focusing in researching of thermoelectric generator power system for renewable energy. The scope of this project is to done a research about thermoelectric generator module assembly to achieve maximum efficiency. This project only can produce the electricity when there is heat and cold apply.

1.6 Summary of chapter

This chapter is about the overview of the thermoelectric generator and how to design it. In this chapter also, it has states why thermoelectric generator has been selected as an additional alternative technology to replace the wind energy and solar energy.

4

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 History

Thermoelectric generator has been developed long time ago. In this chapter, it will focus on the evolution of the thermoelectric generator and the applications. Thermoelectric generator is a device which converts heat directly into electrical energy by using Seebeck Effect.

5

2.1.1 Previous work

Before this, thermoelectric generator was popular in the automotive industry and for NASA to power the spacecraft. Seebeck effect was use in development of the thermoelectric generator since 1821. Seebeck effect was found by Thomas Johann Seebeck. The generation of an electric current (or electromotive force) when two conductors of different metals are joined at their ends to form a circuit, with the two junctions kept at different temperatures. The Seebeck effect is the basic operating principle of the thermocouple.

Figure 2.1: Seebeck effect

a) Thermattaix

Thermattaix is the first commercial thermoelectric generator. Thermattaix appeared in UK in the year 1925 for powering radio devices. This thermoelectric generator used a gas burner to heat the hot junctions and ambient air for the cold junctions.

6

Figure 2.2: The Thermattaix b) A Russian thermoelectric generators based on a kerosene lamp

This lamp introduced in 1959, once again to power radius. The output voltage is unknown, but since a picture is known to exit of it powering a valve radio, HT must have been generated, possibly by a vibrator power supply. It yielded both 1.5 and 90 volts. It can replace a composite dry battery with the same output voltages. It needs 90V to supply around 12mA and 1.5 volts to supply at 125mA or 250mA.

Figure 2.3: Kerosene lamp 7

2.1.2 Present work

The Present work of the thermoelectric generator is to commercialize it to be use as home appliances. As an example, the development of the thermoelectric generator at home by using cooking stove. The generator can be use to charging the cell phone, to operating the radio, and to power on the bulb at home. One or more batteries are added to store the electrical energy from the TEG. The electrical energy to power the human needs is then extracted from the batteries. Use converter to convert from DC to AC. In this final year project, the thermoelectric generator that has to develop must produce the maximum output power. The thermoelectric module must be selected according to the output power it can produce based on its datasheet. This thermoelectric generator uses the Seebeck effect.

2.2 Review of history

The entire early thermoelectric generator used metal based thermoelectric elements, which had quiet low conversion efficiency which resulted in larger size systems. Based on the history, it is hard to get the higher efficiency of thermoelectric generator because the thermoelectric module has v ery low efficiency.

8

2.3 Summary

This chapter is about overview of the history of thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator has a big area of applications from aerospace to automotive and now home appliances. From the history know the advantages and disadvantages of thermoelectric generator. From the previous work, it can make an improvement for the better generator for human needs.

9

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

In this chapter, it will give an explanation about the method that used in the development of the thermoelectric generator. The method that use in this project is hardware development. It is including the description of block diagram and explanation of the main components.

10

3.2 Block diagram

Heat source (Heating Process) ∆T

Thermoelectric module

Electricity (Power)

Hot side & cold side ∆T

= Th - Tc

Heat sink (Cooling Process)

Figure 3.1: Block diagram of thermoelectric generator (TEG)

3.2.1 Explanation

Block diagram for this project including four parts which is; Part A (Heat source). 

Use heat source such as stove as an input to get the heat energy.

Part B (Transfer) 

Waste heat energy from heat source is transfer to the hot side of the thermoelectric generator. 11

Part C (Cooling) 

The heat accumulate at the cold side is cool by the heat sink.

Part D (Produce) 

The thermoelectric generator produces electricity when there is a temperature difference between the hot side and cold side of thermoelectric module.

3.3 Hardware and development

This project only has hardware development. The components uses in this project are thermoelectric module, heat sink, camping stove and platinum thin-film temperature sensor. 3.3.1 Block diagram for project development

Research about thermoelectric generator

Evaluate each component. (Module and Heat exchanger)

Testing

Get the data Figure 3.2: Block diagram of project development

12

3.3.2 Main components

a) Thermoelectric module

Thermoelectric module has been use to produce current based on the difference temperature between the hot side and cold side. The current will flow in a circuit made from two ceramic substrates for P-type and N-type Bismuth Telluride block that are connected in series to increase the voltage and power output. Provided a temperature difference is maintained across the module, the power will be delivered to an external load and the device will operate as a generator. In this project, the type of thermoelectric module used is TEG-127-62A from Everredtronics.

Figure 3.3: The theory of operation of thermoelectric module

13

b) Heat sink

Devices built for efficient heat transfer from one medium to another and are widely used in engineering process. There are four different designs of heat sink: shell and tube, plate, regenerative, and intermediate fluid or solid. In thermoelectric generator, the heat sink is uses to maintain a large temperature difference across the module. Heat sink is required on each side. In this project, it uses the water block liquid heat sink because it needs to maintain the temperature difference by using water and not using the air. Other than water block, it also can use cooling fan.

Heat sink

Figure 3.4: Water block liquid heat sink

c) Platinum thin-film temperature sensor 5 x 2mm

Temperature sensors are available in several types. All temperature sensor have unique performance characteristics. Film temperature sensor has a layer of platinum on a substrate, the layer may be extremely thin, perhaps one micrometer. In platinum thin-

14

film temperature sensor, there is a glass layer to protect the sensor against mechanical and chemical damage. The advantages of platinum thin-film temperature sensor are: a) Resistance to thermal shock b) Wide temperature range c) Excellent long-term stability d) Easy interchangeability

Figure 3.5: Platinum thin-film temperature sensor

d) Camping stove as a heat source

Figure 3.6: Camping stove

Camping stove is uses as a heat source for the thermoelectric generator. It can be use in two different ways; as cooking and electricity generating when it connected to thermoelectric module.

15

e) DC motor EG-530AD-6F

Figure 3.7: DC motor EG-530AD-6F

Features: 

Voltage Range (VDC): 4.2-7.5



Current (Amps): 0.132



Rated Speed (RPM): 2400



Torque (g-cm): 8



Shaft Diameter: 0.079"



Shaft Length: 0.37



Size:1.38"D x 0.98"L



DC Motor: Cassette, CD Player, CD-ROM, VCD, DVD, DV-

ROM

16

f) Water pump

Figure 3.8: Water pump

In this project, water pump are used for the cooling process. The water pump will do the rotation for the water flow in and flow out from the heat sink.

3.4 The design of thermoelectric generator

Figure 3.9: Front view

17

Figure 3.10: Side view

Figure 3.11: Top view

3.5 Cleaning the dirty thermoelectric module

The dirty thermoelectric module will give less efficiency . The steps of cleaning thermoelectric module are as below:

18

a) Cleaned both surfaces of the module with acetone 2 to 3 times with a cotton. b) Used force to reach down into the scratches and remove any oils and dirt. c) Repeated the a) and b) process until the module surface cleaned. d) Do not touched the cleaned surface because oils from skin will decrease the heat transfer.

Figure 3.12: Cleaning process

3.6 Thermoelectric generator (TEG) mounting

The thermoelectric generator (TEG) is mounting with the compression method. A TEG is compressed between plate, thermoelectric module and heat sink by located the screws. The screws used are stainless steel screws. Do not used plastic screw because it can slowly stretch over time. A plate was uses to create a distance between heat source and thermoelectric module. The thickness of the plate is 0.2cm thick . The plate was made from cooper. Cooper is a: a) Metal with an extremelly high electrical and thermal con ductivity b) Easy to work 19

c) Easy to recycle d) Resistance to low temperatures e) Expensive to buy The air gap between the cooper plate and the thermoelectric module will make a poor heat transfer, even it is very small. When mounting the thermoelectric module, make sure there were no air gap between the module and the plate.

Screw

Figure 3.13: Mounting process

3.7 Thermoelectric generator (TEG) testing process

Procedure

1. Applied a heat at the hot side of the thermoelectric module by using camping stove.

20

2. For the cooling process, used a water pump to pump the water directly into the heat sink. The water from the heat sink will flow out from the heat sink to the container. 3. First, get the reading of “no-load output voltage” (VNL). 4. Second, get the reading of “load output voltage” and output current with load: 0.33Ω, 1Ω, and 12Ω. The module internal output is 0.32Ω. 5. At the same time, get the Th and Tc and find the temperature difference by using ∆T = Th – Tc . 6. Compare the results for 0.33Ω, 1Ω, and 12Ω and determine which one gives the maximum power output. 7. Plotted the graph for the thermoelectric characteristics.

Water flow

Figure 3.14: Testing process

3.8 Summary

This chapter explains about block diagram and hardware development that using in the thermoelectric generator. Other than that, the explanation details about the cleaning, mounting and testing the thermoelectric generator. Research and testing have to be done to determine the characteristics of the module. 21

CHAPTER 4

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Introduction

This chapter will discuss the results for the thermoelectric generator. The major problem in this part is how to get the maximum output power and to find the characteristics of the thermoelectric module.

4.2 Results obtain when the Th = 100°C and Tc = 0° and Tc = ambient temperature

22

Test has been carried out to test the thermoelectricity theory. Figure 4.1 and 4.3 shows the testing of the module by using hot water (100°C), ice (0°C) and at ambient temperature.

Ambient temperature Hot water (100°C)

Figure 4.1: Test the module by using hot water (100°C)

Figure 4.2: The open circuit voltage when the Th = 100°C and Tc= ambient temperature

The open circuit voltage was at 0.19 volts when Th is equal to 100°C and Tc is equal to the ambient temperature. The voltage was very low because there was no cooling process at the cold side of the module.

23

Ice (0°C)

Hot water (100°C)

Figure 4.3: Test the module by using hot water (100°C) and ice (0°C)

Figure 4.4: The open circuit voltage when Th = 100°C and Tc= 0°C

When there is an ice for the cooling process, the open circuit voltage increased to 1.32 volts. The ∆T is about 100°C. However , the voltage with load was half the open circuit voltage.

24

Table 4.1: The results of voltage when Th= 100°C, Tc=0°C and Tc= ambient

temperature Temperature difference (°C)

Voltage (V)

73

0.19

100

1.32

The greater the temperature difference between hot side and cold side, the more output voltage the TEG can generate.

4.3 Results obtain by using difference load resistance at Thot = 138°C and Tcold = 32°C Table 4.2: The results of load resistance, load voltage, load current and load

power RL(Ω) 0.33 1 12

VL(V) 0.34 0.80 1.88

IL(A) 1.08 0.84 0.16

PL(W) 0.37 0.67 0.30

The load voltage increased with load resistance increased. The load current increased as the load resistance decreased.

The maximum amount of power is

transferred to the load when the load resistance equals to the module internal resistance of the thermoelectric generator. Table 4.2 shows the results for a range of load resistance values between 0.33Ω and 12Ω. The maximum output power was generate by load resistance 1Ω. But the module internal resistance was 0.32Ω. To get the maximum power, module internal resistance equal to the load resistance. Unfortunately, the output power f or 0.33Ω was 25

0.37watts and it was not the maximum output power. Below are the graphs of a V-I characteristics for the TEG-127-62A module.

Tcold = 32°C and Thot = 138°C

Figure 4.5: Graph load voltage versus load resistance

26

Figure 4.6: Graph load current versus load resistance

Figure 4.7: Graph load power versus load resistance

Figure 4.5, 4.6, and 4.7 are the graphs for the TEG-127-62A V-I characteristics with a 106 degree temperature differential.

The voltage increased when the load

resistance increased. The current decreased when the load resistance increased. The power is increased at the beginning and decreased at the end.

27

Based on the results above, the voltage can only light on the LED and running the small DC motor EG-530AD-6F.

Figure 4.8: LED light on

Figure 4.9: Small DC motor EG-530AD-6F.

28

4.4 Results of the characteristics of Platinum thin-film temperature sensor

Table 4.3: The characteristics of platinum thin-film temperature sensor Temperature (°C)

Resistance (Ω)

30

112.6

100

124.0

Figure 4.10: The characteristics of platinum thin-film temperature sensor

The characteristics of the platinum temperature sensor based on the table 4.3 and graph 4.10 is linear. The resistance of the temperature sensor increased when the voltage is increased. Platinum temperature sensor is suitable to use in this project because it can measure the temperature until 600°C.

29

4.5 Problems

There are some problems encountered during project testing: 1. The efficiency of the thermoelectric module from China is less efficient than module from other countries .So; the output power generates from the module was very low. 2. The cooper plate was bending. There were an air gap between the cooper plate and the module that make a poor heat transfer. 3. The wire of the thermoelectric module was burn b ecause of the heat from stove.

Burn wire

Figure 4.11: Thermoelectric module with burn wire

4. The datasheet for the thermoelectric module from China is less of information.

30


To solve problem 1, the module can be combine in series to produce a maximum voltage or current in parallel to increase the ampere. The load resistance must match the module internal resistance, which also changes slightly with temperature. The temperature difference must be larger. The greater the ∆T, the more power can be derived at the greatest efficiency. Other method is to use DC-DC converter to achieve higher output voltage or current.


To solve problem 2, the cooper plate must be flat for the good heat transfer and to get higher efficiency. Bring the plate to the machinery shop at Kepong area to flatten it. But it is not 100 % flat. Other than flatten the plate, it can also use thermal grease by filling the air-gaps present due to the imperfectly flat and smooth surfaces of the plate.

31


To solve problem 3, the red and black wire must be wrap with the electrical insulator tape. The tape is used as an insulator to the module.

4.5.4

Solution for problem 4

To solve problem 4, needs some research from the internet for more information. The datasheet with less information will make the process to do the calculation be more difficult.

4.6

Analysis of completed research

In this project, can analyze overall of this project can‟t get higher output power because the TEG-127-62A thermoelectric module can‟t generate the higher output voltage. The higher the voltage that the module can generate is 1.88V and the higher output power is 0.67W. The output can‟t functionally the 10W bulb because the power was very low. Unfortunately, this project cans functionally the LED and small motor EG-530AD-6F by using 1.80V and 0.132A.

32

4.7 Summary

In this chapter show the results of this project. All the problem need to resolve to make this project successful. The student needs to analyze and identify the problem by find out the main cause of the problem. The main problem of this project is hardware part. The problem occurs when it needs to find the maximum output power and the solution was choosing the resistance that is nearly to the value of module internal resistance.

33

CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Introduction

This chapter will discuss the conclusion of the project. There are some conclusion, advantages and recommendation to upgrade the generator.

5.2 Conclusion

The objectives of this project have completely achieved that can generate the output power. Even though the output power is very low, it is still can light on the LED 34

and small motor EG-530AD-6F. Although there are some problems happened but after do some analysis it finally found the solutions. This project can be applied inside the house at the cooking stove. While cooking, heat from the cooking stove can generate power to charging the phone, to operating the radio, and to power on the bulb at home. This thermoelectric generator has been applied in BMW car a long time ago. BMW has found that reusing the wasted exhaust heat to power a thermoelectric generator could reduce fuel consumption by as much as 5% and decreased load at the alternator. The benefits are from storing the electricity and using it back to pre heat the engine and power the air conditioning system. A lot of information can learn form this project. In this project, it is able to learn about the characteristics of the thermoelectric module and helps to manage time to complete the project.

5.3 The advantages of thermoelectric generator

1. Heat energy is available in many different places as stove, engine exhaust, solar heat, ocean heat, geothermal heat and body heat. 2. Thermoelectric generator can produce electricity 24/7 as long as they have heat as an input. 3. Quite. 4. Maintenance free. 5. No moving parts.

35

5.4

The disadvantages of thermoelectric generator

1. The thermoelectric module is expensive. 2. The efficiency is very low especially from China.

5.5

Project’s recommendation

In future, the problems of this project can be solve and improve the generator to become more advances such as by using the other type of module or more than one module. This project will be success in future and it will be use widely in order to help in the mechanical and electrical terms.

36

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a

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2.

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24,2010

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(n.d).

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http://www.everredtronics.com/TEG.html 37

January

20,2011

from

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generator

can

make?,

Retrieved

March

4,2011

from

http://bpsolarpanelnews.com/articles/how-do-i-measure-how-much-power-orelectricity-my-thermoelectric-generator-can-make/

10. Platinum temperature sensors(n.d) Retrieved March 4,2011 from http://www.istag.com/eh/ist-ag/en/home.nsf/contentview/A0FC7996D69B8A5AC12573C5002A8614

38

Appendix A

39

40

41

Thermoelectric

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