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Experimental study on thermoelectric power generation based on cryogenic liquid cold energy

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  • Ge, Minghui
  • Li, Zhenhua
  • Wang, Yeting
  • Zhao, Yulong
  • Zhu, Yu
  • Wang, Shixue
  • Liu, Liansheng

Abstract

A large amount of cold energy can be recovered while in use because of the large temperature difference between the cryogenic fluid and the ambience. This study designed and built a thermoelectric power generation system for cold energy. Taking liquid nitrogen as the cryogenic liquid, the thermoelectric characteristics of the system were studied experimentally. In addition, the influence of the heat transfer process of the cryogenic fluid on the thermoelectric characteristics was determined. The results revealed that in the liquid-phase and two-phase regions, the temperature difference between the hot and cold end increased in the gasification process. However, in the gas-phase region, it first decreased and then increased. The temperature difference between the hot and cold module ends was small, being only 7.2–28.1 °C. The poor heat transfer capacity at the hot end of the generator restricted the improvement of the temperature difference at the hot and cold ends. Nevertheless, the flow rate change had a relatively small impact on the open-circuit voltage. Although the thermoelectric conversion efficiency remains low, it is expected that the efficiency can be significantly improved by developing high-efficiency low-temperature thermoelectric materials and by improving the heat exchange performance of the hot end of the generator.

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  • Ge, Minghui & Li, Zhenhua & Wang, Yeting & Zhao, Yulong & Zhu, Yu & Wang, Shixue & Liu, Liansheng, 2021. "Experimental study on thermoelectric power generation based on cryogenic liquid cold energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:220:y:2021:i:c:s036054422032853x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.119746
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    17. Zhao, Yulong & Lu, Mingjie & Li, Yanzhe & Ge, Minghui & Xie, Liyao & Liu, Liansheng, 2021. "Characteristics analysis of an exhaust thermoelectric generator system with heat transfer fluid circulation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
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