MN_FF_GF_MM_Science_Journal_2015

Nesarajah, M.; Felgner, F.; Frey, G.: Model-based System Assessment of Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting from the Exhaust Gas Pipe of Oil-fired Heatings. MM (Modern Machinery) Science Journal, ISSN 1803-1269, pp. 570-575, Mar. 2015.

Abstract

We present a methodology to assess the design of thermoelectric Energy Harvesting Systems (EHS) from exhaust gas pipes. In this application, thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are used to generate electricity using a temperature difference, based on the Seebeck Effect. The hot side temperature is given by the waste heat in the exhaust gas of an oil-fired heating system and, at the cold TEG side, two different cooling options are considered, forced air and liquid cooling. The assessment is based on a comprehensive modular model, which includes, besides a detailed TEG model, the heat transfer conditions as well as an adaptive control strategy. The model, build up in the modeling and simulation environment Modelica®/Dymola®, serves to design such an EHS in an optimal way, meaning that a reasonable number of TEGs for the system and a suitable cooling method are chosen. Moreover, for each cooling method, an individual control strategy is defined to maximize the power output of the EHS.

Download full paper on MM Science Journal Open Access:

http://www.mmscience.eu/content/file/MM%20SJ_201507.pdf