An ultra-high efficient micro combined heat and power cogeneration system based on gas combustion powered thermoelectric generator

Abstract

People never stop seeking distributed, efficient, and multi-purpose energy technologies. A micro combined heat and power (CHP) cogeneration system based on gas combustion powered thermoelectric generator is designed and tested in this study to provide such a solution. A systematic controlling strategy, interlinking various aspects including power generation, temperature uniformity, heat collection and distribution via several passive and active controlling measures, is first proposed to simultaneously augment electric power, overall power generation efficiency and CHP efficiency. The developed CHP cogeneration system is featured by extraordinary high CHP efficiency (92.5 %), high electric power (75.6 W), and remarkable thermoelectric efficiency (4.44 %) through comprehensive optimizations of pin fin area, compensatory heat collection, and extract draft fan running parameter. Various parameters including input power, cooling method, and load resistance are explored to identify their influences on the generated electric power, heat collection, thermoelectric, overall power generation, and CHP efficiencies. The major contribution of the present study is to provide a concrete systematic controlling strategy to release the potential of each thermoelectric module (6.3 W per module). Moreover, the underlying controlling mechanism of the proposed strategy is revealed through in-depth discussions. It is found that decoupling the interdependence between power generation and heat collection, and applying appropriate compensatory heat collection are two essential logics to simultaneously augment electric power, overall power generation, and CHP efficiencies. Another contribution of the present work is the modularization of the developed CHP cogeneration prototype. A scale-up CHP system is manufactured and tested, confirming the reliability and equal scale magnification of modularization.