Performance Analysis of a Thermoelectric Generation System with Different Flow Configurations

Thermoelectric technology is an unconventional approach for renewable energy generation with the aim of reducing waste via improved overall efficiency. There is a primary need to develop such environmentally friendly systems that can harness readily available renewable energy resources and utilize them for power generation at reduced cost. Such systems enable conversion of waste heat. In this work, the effects of four parameters, i.e., the quantity and quality of heat, the composition of the waste stream in liquid phase, and losses during conversion, on the conversion efficiency are studied, and a method proposed to measure them instead of using the rating provided by the manufacturer. The results show that the heat exchanger configuration has an important impact on the power generation established through parallel and counterflow arrangements. The temperature difference (heat quality) achieved between the hot and cold fluid is lower in case of a counterflow heat exchanger if the other parameters remain the same. The counterflow configuration is more effective than the parallel flow configuration, but suffers from greater convective losses. Higher thermal energy consumption is noted in case of parallel flow due to the uneven temperature difference along the flow passage.