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

F. P. Brito, João Silva Peixoto, Jorge Martins, António P. Gonçalves, Loucas Louca, Nikolaos Vlachos and Theodora Kyratsi
Additional contact information
F. P. Brito: Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center (MEtRICs), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, 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

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 18, 1-21

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.

Keywords: thermoelectric generators; thermoelectric module design; multiphysics simulation; geometric optimization; magnesium silicide; tetrahedrite; waste heat recovery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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