Smart thermoelectric waste heat generator: Design, simulation and cost analysis

Abstract

Globally one third of energy consumption is attributable to the industrial sector, with up to fifty percent ultimately wasted as heat. Waste heat is difficult to identify and evaluate both in terms of quantity and quality. Therefore, waste heat recovery is very important in terms of reducing energy costs and environmental impacts. The method used for waste heat recovery must be feasible. In this study, we produced an environmentally friendly and electric- and water-saving smart thermoelectric waste heat generator (STWHG), performed laboratory and fields tests for the generator, and examined power and cost parameters of a STWHG power plant with a capacity of 150 W at ΔT = 100 °C installed in an industrial establishment. We performed MATLAB simulations for real working conditions of TEG modules used in the production of STWHG as well as the entire power plant, and compared the results with directly measured parameters. The payback coefficient of power plant was K = G/M > 1. When ΔT = 100 °C, the power plant begins to profit after 6 years. The results show that the thermoelectric waste heat power plants was very profitable and feasible.