Propane Gas Thermoelectric Generator with Microcontroller Integrated Development Environment Hot Side Temperature Control

Abstract

A thermoelectric generator consists of various thermocouples arranged in series. A voltage is generated when a temperature gradient exists across the junctions of the thermocouples. This research modelled, developed and tested a thermoelectric generator with hot side temperature control using propane gas, in a microcontroller integrated development environment to protect the modules from excessive high temperatures. The models were solved using MATLAB for pictorial representation of the performance of the generator with temperature gradient, hot and cold side temperatures. The thermoelectric generator was developed using ten SP-184827145-SA modules. The temperature control circuitry consists of an ATMEGA32 microcontroller, DS18B30 temperature sensors, stepper motor, computer interface and power supply unit whose sole aim is to regulate the gas supply and hence control the flame temperature. The maximum open circuit voltage gotten was 25 V at 300 secs with hot side temperature of 120°C and cold side temperature 30°C, with an efficiency of 3.6%. It was also found out that the higher the temperature gradient the higher the voltage produced.