Enhanced power extraction from thermoelectric generators considering non-uniform heat distribution. (15th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fauzan, Miftah Y.; Muyeen, S.M.; Islam, Syed
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 246(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-15
• Subjects: thermoelectric generator (TEG) -- Maximum power point tracking -- Mathematical modelling -- Non-uniform heat distribution; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2021.114565
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Highlights: Novel model of thermoelectric device with non-uniform temperature distribution is considered. Experimentally validated model with errors of 6.5% for voltage and 1.1% for the current. Blocking diode improves power output by 15% of a thermoelectric device exposed to non-uniform temperature distribution. Developed MPPT with Modified Perturb & Observe further improves thermoelectric power generation by 20%. Abstract: In this paper, a technique to enhance the performances of the thermoelectric generator under non-uniform heat distribution is developed. A large area of heat source is needed when the thermoelectric generator is used for high power applications such as powering air conditioners, household appliances, and distributed generation systems. Non-uniform heat distribution is a natural phenomenon in large surface of heat source. A model was developed and was validated with a prototype of thermoelectric panel 80 V, 2 A. Results show very good similarities between the model and the prototype outputs under various operating conditions. The error during the tests for the voltage performances was 6.5%, while the current was 1.1%. A method of maximizing power, i.e., developing a specialized maximum power point tracker (MPPT) along with blocking diodes, is proposed to overcome the effects of non-uniform heat distribution. In a typical condition, the output power dropped by 30% when a non-uniform thermal distribution is imposed to the array. The blocking diode can save power by 15%, and the MPPT expands up to 20% power when adopting this method.