High efficiency Thermo-Electric power generator

Abstract

Thermo-Electric (TE) power generation is an attractive method for the direct conversion of thermal energy into electrical one. Both the TE material properties and the power generator architecture play a fundamental role in the achievement of high energy conversion efficiencies. The paper focuses on the TE module architecture design, as well as on the sub-components manufacturing and assembly.Segmented TE power generators, characterized by a counter-current arrangement of the hot and cold gaseous streams, and a catalytic combustion chamber to ignite an air/fuel mixture, were designed and manufactured (SiC monolith heat exchangers, catalysts and supports for the combustion chamber, system housing). As TE materials, commercial Bismuth Telluride cells were adopted. Pd/NiCrO4 and Pt/Al2O3 catalysts were investigated to ignite H2, CH4 and H2/CH4 mixtures, at different gas flow rates and fuel concentrations. The results led to the design of a TE generator architecture providing flexible electrical loads through a modular assembly, with an improved thermal management which enhanced the energy conversion efficiency.