IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v14y2021i18p5655-d631704.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Analysis and Design of a Silicide-Tetrahedrite Thermoelectric Generator Concept Suitable for Large-Scale Industrial Waste Heat Recovery

Author

Listed:
  • F. P. Brito

    (Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center (MEtRICs), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • João Silva Peixoto

    (Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center (MEtRICs), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Jorge Martins

    (Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center (MEtRICs), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • António P. Gonçalves

    (Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies (C2TN), Department of Nuclear Sciences and Engineering, Instituto Superior Tecnico, University of Lisbon, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal)

  • Loucas Louca

    (Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, 1 Panepistimiou Ave, 2109 Aglantzia, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus)

  • Nikolaos Vlachos

    (Alter Eco Solutions Ltd., C Thermaikou 2, Strovolos, Nicosia 2043, Cyprus)

  • Theodora Kyratsi

    (Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, 1 Panepistimiou Ave, 2109 Aglantzia, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus)

Abstract

Industrial Waste Heat Recovery (IWHR) is one of the areas with strong potential for energy efficiency and emissions reductions in industry. Thermoelectric (TE) generators (TEGs) are among the few technologies that are intrinsically modular and can convert heat directly into electricity without moving parts, so they are nearly maintenance-free and can work unattended for long periods of time. However, most existing TEGs are only suitable for small-scale niche applications because they typically display a cost per unit power and a conversion efficiency that is not competitive with competing technologies, and they also tend to rely on rare and/or toxic materials. Moreover, their geometric configuration, manufacturing methods and heat exchangers are often not suitable for large-scale applications. The present analysis aims to tackle several of these challenges. A module incorporating constructive solutions suitable for upscaling, namely, using larger than usual TE elements (up to 24 mm in diameter) made from affordable p-tetrahedrite and n-magnesium silicide materials, was assessed with a multiphysics tool for conditions typical of IWHR. Geometric configurations optimized for efficiency, power per pair and power density, as well as an efficiency/power balanced solution, were extracted from these simulations. A balanced solution provided 0.62 kWe/m 2 with a 3.9% efficiency. Good prospects for large-scale IWHR with TEGs are anticipated if these figures could be replicated in a real-world application and implemented with constructive solutions suitable for large-scale systems.

Suggested Citation

  • F. P. Brito & João Silva Peixoto & Jorge Martins & António P. Gonçalves & Loucas Louca & Nikolaos Vlachos & Theodora Kyratsi, 2021. "Analysis and Design of a Silicide-Tetrahedrite Thermoelectric Generator Concept Suitable for Large-Scale Industrial Waste Heat Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:18:p:5655-:d:631704
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/18/5655/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/18/5655/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Meng, Fankai & Chen, Lingen & Feng, Yuanli & Xiong, Bing, 2017. "Thermoelectric generator for industrial gas phase waste heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 83-90.
    2. Pourkiaei, Seyed Mohsen & Ahmadi, Mohammad Hossein & Sadeghzadeh, Milad & Moosavi, Soroush & Pourfayaz, Fathollah & Chen, Lingen & Pour Yazdi, Mohammad Arab & Kumar, Ravinder, 2019. "Thermoelectric cooler and thermoelectric generator devices: A review of present and potential applications, modeling and materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    3. Yazawa, Kazuaki & Koh, Yee Rui & Shakouri, Ali, 2013. "Optimization of thermoelectric topping combined steam turbine cycles for energy economy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 1-9.
    4. LeBlanc, Saniya & Yee, Shannon K. & Scullin, Matthew L. & Dames, Chris & Goodson, Kenneth E., 2014. "Material and manufacturing cost considerations for thermoelectrics," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 313-327.
    5. Rezania, A. & Rosendahl, L.A., 2012. "Thermal effect of a thermoelectric generator on parallel microchannel heat sink," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 220-227.
    6. Yazawa, Kazuaki & Shakouri, Ali & Hendricks, Terry J., 2017. "Thermoelectric heat recovery from glass melt processes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 1035-1043.
    7. Twaha, Ssennoga & Zhu, Jie & Yan, Yuying & Li, Bo, 2016. "A comprehensive review of thermoelectric technology: Materials, applications, modelling and performance improvement," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 698-726.
    8. Mirhosseini, Mojtaba & Rezania, Alireza & Rosendahl, Lasse, 2019. "Harvesting waste heat from cement kiln shell by thermoelectric system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 358-369.
    9. Georgopoulou, Chariklia A. & Dimopoulos, George G. & Kakalis, Nikolaos M.P., 2016. "A modular dynamic mathematical model of thermoelectric elements for marine applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 13-28.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ana Sofia Moita & Pedro Pontes & Lourenço Martins & Miguel Coelho & Oscar Carvalho & F. P. Brito & António Luís N. Moreira, 2022. "Complex Fluid Flow in Microchannels and Heat Pipes with Enhanced Surfaces for Advanced Heat Conversion and Recovery Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Abhijit Date & Oranit Traisak & Matthew Ward & Eliza Rupakheti & Eric Hu & Hamid Khayyam, 2022. "Experimental and Theoretical Study on Mechanical Performance of a Sustainable Method to Simultaneously Generate Power and Fresh Water," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Carolina Clasen Sousa & Jorge Martins & Óscar Carvalho & Miguel Coelho & Ana Sofia Moita & Francisco P. Brito, 2022. "Assessment of an Exhaust Thermoelectric Generator Incorporating Thermal Control Applied to a Heavy Duty Vehicle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Chen, Lingen & Lorenzini, Giulio, 2023. "Heating load, COP and exergetic efficiency optimizations for TEG-TEH combined thermoelectric device with Thomson effect and external heat transfer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    2. Luo, Ding & Wang, Ruochen & Yu, Wei & Zhou, Weiqi, 2019. "Performance evaluation of a novel thermoelectric module with BiSbTeSe-based material," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 1299-1311.
    3. Daniel Sanin-Villa & Oscar D. Monsalve-Cifuentes & Elkin E. Henao-Bravo, 2021. "Evaluation of Thermoelectric Generators under Mismatching Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-20, December.
    4. Huang, Xiao-Yan & Zhou, Ze-Yu & Shu, Zheng-Yu & Cai, Yang & Lv, You & Wang, Wei-Wei & Zhao, Fu-Yun, 2024. "A phase change material based annular thermoelectric energy harvester from ambient temperature fluctuations: Transient modeling and critical characteristics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    5. Ouyang, Zhongliang & Li, Dawen, 2018. "Design of segmented high-performance thermoelectric generators with cost in consideration," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 112-121.
    6. Kim, Hoon & Kim, Woochul, 2015. "A way of achieving a low $/W and a decent power output from a thermoelectric device," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 205-211.
    7. Miguel Araiz & Álvaro Casi & Leyre Catalán & Patricia Aranguren & David Astrain, 2021. "Thermoelectric Generator with Passive Biphasic Thermosyphon Heat Exchanger for Waste Heat Recovery: Design and Experimentation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-19, September.
    8. Liu, Xinxin & Wang, Ke & Shen, Zuguo, 2024. "A novel strategy of inserting radiation shields to enhance the performance of thermoelectric generator systems for industrial high-temperature heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    9. Zhu, WenChao & Yang, Wenlong & Yang, Yang & Li, Yang & Li, Hao & Shi, Ying & Yan, Yonggao & Xie, Changjun, 2022. "Economic configuration optimization of onboard annual thermoelectric generators under multiple operating conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 486-499.
    10. Tappura, Kirsi & Juntunen, Taneli & Jaakkola, Kaarle & Ruoho, Mikko & Tittonen, Ilkka & Ritasalo, Riina & Pudas, Marko, 2020. "Large-area implementation and critical evaluation of the material and fabrication aspects of a thin-film thermoelectric generator based on aluminum-doped zinc oxide," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 1292-1298.
    11. Wang, Yijiang & Peng, Yizhu & Guo, Kehui & Zheng, Xiaofeng & Darkwa, Jo & Zhong, Hua, 2021. "Experimental investigation on performance improvement of thermoelectric generator based on phase change materials and heat transfer enhancement," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    12. Song Lv & Zuoqin Qian & Dengyun Hu & Xiaoyuan Li & Wei He, 2020. "A Comprehensive Review of Strategies and Approaches for Enhancing the Performance of Thermoelectric Module," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-24, June.
    13. Sun, Dongfang & Shen, Limei & Chen, Huanxin & Jiang, Bin & Jie, Desuan & Liu, Huanyu & Yao, Yu & Tang, Jingchun, 2020. "Modeling and analysis of the influence of Thomson effect on micro-thermoelectric coolers considering interfacial and size effects," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    14. Mohamed R. Gomaa & Talib K. Murtadha & Ahmad Abu-jrai & Hegazy Rezk & Moath A. Altarawneh & Abdullah Marashli, 2022. "Experimental Investigation on Waste Heat Recovery from a Cement Factory to Enhance Thermoelectric Generation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-18, August.
    15. Karami Rad, Meysam & Rezania, Alireza & Omid, Mahmoud & Rajabipour, Ali & Rosendahl, Lasse, 2019. "Study on material properties effect for maximization of thermoelectric power generation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 236-242.
    16. Weiqi Zhou & Jiasheng Yang & Qing Qin & Jiahao Zhu & Shiyu Xu & Ding Luo & Ruochen Wang, 2022. "Research on Module Layout and Module Coverage of an Automobile Exhaust Thermoelectric Power Generation System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-15, January.
    17. Yin, Tao & Li, Zhen-Ming & Peng, Peng & Liu, Wei & Shao, Yu-Ying & He, Zhi-Zhu, 2021. "Performance analysis and design optimization of a compact thermoelectric generator with T-Shaped configuration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    18. Huang, Shouyuan & Xu, Xianfan, 2017. "A regenerative concept for thermoelectric power generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 119-125.
    19. Björn Pfeiffelmann & Ali Cemal Benim & Franz Joos, 2021. "Water-Cooled Thermoelectric Generators for Improved Net Output Power: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-29, December.
    20. Wang, Xiao-Dong & Wang, Qiu-Hong & Xu, Jin-Liang, 2014. "Performance analysis of two-stage TECs (thermoelectric coolers) using a three-dimensional heat-electricity coupled model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 419-429.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:18:p:5655-:d:631704. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.