Experimental Investigation of Coupled Transport Mechanisms in a PEM Based Thermoelectric Energy Converter

Maike Willke (), Nils-Eric Rahm and Stephan Kabelac
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Maike Willke: Institute of Thermodynamics, Leibniz University Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany
Nils-Eric Rahm: Institute of Electric Power Systems, Leibniz University Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany
Stephan Kabelac: Institute of Thermodynamics, Leibniz University Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-19

Abstract: Thermoelectric energy converters based on galvanic cells (TGC) offer the possibility of direct conversion of low-temperature waste heat into electrical energy and could therefore be a promising approach for an increase in the overall efficiency of energy conversion. Due to an externally applied heat source, a temperature gradient across the electrolyte is induced, leading to a gradient in the chemical potential of the species and an electrical potential difference between the electrodes. The aim of approaching an internal equilibrium state leads to various coupled molecular transport mechanisms taking place in the electrolyte, impacting the open circuit voltage (OCV) and the performance of the TGC. By applying the theory of non-equilibrium thermodynamics (NET) to describe these coupled processes, the interactions that occur can be characterized in more detail. In this work, a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM)-based TGC with two H 2 /H 2 O electrodes of different temperatures and gas compositions is experimentally investigated. By controlling the gradients in temperature and concentration, different impacts on the resulting OCV can be identified. In addition, we present the measured coupling coefficient, representing the singular relation between the transport of the hydrogen ions inside the membrane and the electrical potential difference between the electrodes for a wide variety of working conditions.

Keywords: thermogalvanic cell; polymer electrolyte membrane; energy conversion; non-equilibrium thermodynamics; coupled molecular transport mechanisms (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: 2023
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