Experimental Investigation of Thermoelectric Power Generation Using Radiative Heat Exchange

This paper reports experimental investigation of a new concept of waste heat recovery for Thermoelectric Power Generation using Radiative heat exchange principle (TERX). To this end a small scale experimental setup was considered; it was composed of a heated plate, an absorber plate, thermoelectric modules and water cooled heat sink. The dimensions of absorber and heated plates were 0.2 m width and 0.3 m length. The air gap space between the two plates could be adjusted. Ten thermoelectric modules were connected in series parallel (5x2). Tests were made for different air gap spaces and fixed water flow rate (2L/min). A constant electric current (200W) was supplied to the heater of hot plate. Data collected included temperature at various positions and the electrical power generated. Experimental investigation confirmed that using radiative heat exchange principle could be considered for TE waste heat power generation. Increasing air gap decreased the electrical power generated as less radiative heat is absorbed by the thermoelectric modules. Under test conditions, the maximum measured electrical power is 0.3132 W at 0.5 cm of air gap, the corresponding temperature difference between the hot and cool sides of thermoelectric modules was about 35oC. Due to its simplicity of installation as no there is no need for direct contact between the thermoelectric generation set and the source of heat, the proposed concept offers a new alternative for waste heat recovery.