Thermoelectric Generator Using Low-Cost Thermoelectric Modules for Low-Temperature Waste Heat Recovery

Manuela Castañeda, Andrés A. Amell, Mauricio A. Correa, Claudio E. Aguilar and Henry A. Colorado ()
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Manuela Castañeda: CCComposites Laboratory, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 N°. 52-21, Medellín 050010, Colombia
Andrés A. Amell: Grupo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Gas y Uso Racional de la Energía, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 N°. 52-21, Medellín 050010, Colombia
Mauricio A. Correa: Grupo de Investigación y Laboratorio de Monitoreo Ambiental -GLIMA-, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 N°. 52-21, Medellín 050010, Colombia
Claudio E. Aguilar: Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
Henry A. Colorado: CCComposites Laboratory, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 N°. 52-21, Medellín 050010, Colombia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: One of the most significant problems in industrial processes is the loss of energy according to the sort of heat. Thermoelectrics are a promising alternative to recovering this type of thermal energy, as they can convert heat into electricity, improving the industrial efficiency of the process. This article presents the characteristics of low-cost thermoelectric modules typically used for generation (SP1848-27145SA (TEG-GEN)) and refrigeration (TEC1-12706 (TEC-REF)), both utilized in this research for heat recovery. The modules were evaluated against various configurations, source distances, and distributed systems in order to determine optimal recovery conditions. The experiments were conducted both at the laboratory level and in a large-scale furnace of the traditional ceramics industry, and they revealed that even refrigeration modules are suitable for energy recovery, particularly in developing countries, whereas other generators are more expensive and difficult to obtain. These thermoelectric generators were tested for low-temperature heat recovery in regular furnaces, and the results are to be implemented elsewhere. Results show that even the thermoelectric refrigeration modules can be a solution for heat recovery in many heat sources, which would be particularly strategic for developing countries.

Keywords: thermoelectric generator; thermoelectric modules; cost-efficiency ratio; sustainability; life cycle; circular economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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