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11 pages, 1756 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stencil-Printed Scalable Radial Thermoelectric Device Using Sustainable Manufacturing Methods

by Eunhwa Jang, Rohan B. Ambade, Priyanshu Banerjee, L. D. Timmie Topoleski and Deepa Madan

Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3560; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093560 - 24 Apr 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1388

In this study, we used n-chitosan-Bi₂Te_2.7Se_0.3 and p-chitosan-Bi_0.5Sb_1.5Te₃ composite inks to print a circular thermoelectric generator (TEG) device using a low-energy-input curing method. Thermoelectric (TE) composite films were fabricated using varying sizes of thermoelectric particles and a small chitosan binder (0.05 wt. %). The particles and binder were hot pressed at an applied pressure of 200 MPa and cured at 200 °C for 30 min. We achieved ZT of 0.35 for the n-type and 0.7 for the p-type TE composite films measured at room temperature. A radial TEG was fabricated using the best-performing n-type and p-type composite inks and achieved a power output of 87 µW and a power density of 727 µW/cm² at a temperature difference of 35 K; these are among the best-reported values for printed TEG devices. Using a low-energy-input fabrication method, we eliminated the need for high-temperature and long-duration curing processes to fabricate printing devices. Thus, we envisage that the low-energy-input curing process and cost-effective printable strategy presented in this work pave the way for sustainable manufacturing of large-scale energy harvesting TEG devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Sustainable and Clean Energy Technologies)

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22 pages, 5521 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Radial Thermoelectric Model for Stranded Transmission Line Conductors

by Jordi-Roger Riba

Sensors 2023, 23(22), 9205; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23229205 - 15 Nov 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1773

Abstract

Bare-stranded conductors play a critical role in the efficiency and safe operation of transmission lines. The heat generated in the interior of the conductor is conducted radially to the outer surface, creating a radial thermal gradient. The radial temperature gradient between the core and the surface depends on multiple factors, such as stranding, number of layers, current level, electrical resistance and the effective radial thermal conductivity. Therefore, the radial temperature model must be considered when developing accurate conductor models. Such models are particularly important in the development of dynamic line rating (DLR) approaches to allow the full current carrying capacity of the conductor to be utilized while ensuring safe operation. This paper develops a radial one-dimensional thermoelectric model for bare-stranded conductors used in transmission lines. The accuracy of the proposed model is determined by experimental tests performed on three conductors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Physical Sensors)

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11 pages, 3219 KiB

Open AccessArticle

p-Type PVA/MWCNT-Sb₂Te₃ Composites for Application in Different Types of Flexible Thermoelectric Generators in Combination with n-Type PVA/MWCNT-Bi₂Se₃ Composites

by Jana Andzane, Krisjanis Buks, Juris Bitenieks, Lasma Bugovecka, Artis Kons, Remo Merijs-Meri, Janis Svirksts, Janis Zicans and Donats Erts

Polymers 2022, 14(23), 5130; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14235130 - 25 Nov 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2732

Abstract

This work is devoted to the fabrication of p-type polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based flexible thermoelectric composites using multiwall carbon nanotubes-antimony telluride (MWCNT-Sb₂Te₃) hybrid filler, the study of the thermoelectrical and mechanical properties of these composites, and the application of these composites in two types (planar and radial) of thermoelectric generators (TEG) in combination with the previously reported PVA/MWCNT-Bi₂Se₃ flexible thermoelectric composites. While the power factors of PVA/MWCNT-Sb₂Te₃ and PVA/MWCNT-Bi₂Se₃ composites with 15 wt.% filler were found to be similar, the PVA/MWCNT-Sb₂Te₃ composite with 25 wt.% filler showed a ~2 times higher power factor in comparison with the PVA/MWCNT-Bi₂Se₃ composites with 30 wt.% filler, which is attributed to its reduced electrical resistivity. In addition, developed PVA/MWCNT-Sb₂Te₃ composites showed a superior mechanical, electrical, and thermoelectric stability during 100 consequent bending cycles down to a 3 mm radius, with insignificant fluctuations of the resistance within 0.01% of the initial resistance value of the not bent sample. Demonstrated for the first time, 2-leg TEGs composed from p-type PVA/MWCNT-Sb₂Te₃ and n-type PVA/MWCNT-Bi₂Se₃ composites showed a stable performance under different external loads and showed their potential for applications involving low temperature gradients and power requirements in the range of nW. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Hybrid Composites)

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21 pages, 6207 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Power and Fuel Economy of a Radial Automotive Thermoelectric Generator: Experimental and Numerical Studies

by Martí Comamala, Toni Pujol, Ivan Ruiz Cózar, Eduard Massaguer and Albert Massaguer

Energies 2018, 11(10), 2720; https://doi.org/10.3390/en11102720 - 11 Oct 2018

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2809

Abstract

Recent developments of high performance thermoelectric (TE) materials have increased the interest of using this technology to directly convert waste heat into electricity. In the automotive sector, many automotive thermoelectric generators (ATEGs) designs use TE modules (TEMs) with high hot side temperatures to cope with high engine load regimes. Here, we develop a new concept of a radial ATEG that is specifically designed to work with low temperature TEMs, which enables the use of Pb-free modules and reduces the thermal stress of the device. A prototype is built and tested at different regimes in an engine test bench. A numerical model of the ATEG is developed and validated. The consequences of modifying (1) the exchange area between the heat absorber and the exhaust gases and (2) the effective figure of merit of TEMs on the electrical output power and fuel economy are investigated by means of simulations. Results indicate that the maximum fuel economy (1.3%) is not attained at the point of maximum output power (228 W). In terms of fuel economy, the back pressure at the exhaust penalizes high mass flow regimes. We use a dimensionless parameter to analyze the potential of the ATEG for reducing fuel consumption. Full article

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