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Chapter 5

Abstract

Passive Cooling

and Runar Unnthorsson

security camera system.

1. Introduction

tude [1, 2].

63

Thermoelectric Generator Using

Robert Dell, Michael Thomas Petralia, Ashish Pokharel

This chapter presents an analysis of a point-of-use thermoelectric generator that is patented by one of the authors. The design, implementation and performance of the generator for powering electronic monitoring devices and charging batteries is discussed. This passive generator has no moving parts and relies on ambient air cooling. In one iteration it produces 6.9 W of steady state power using six Laird thermoelectric modules (Laird PB23 Series, HT8, 12) when placed on a 160°C steam pipe with a 30°C ambient environment (ΔT of 130°C). The generator produced 31.2 volts (V) open circuit and 0.89 amperes (A) short circuit. It successfully powered two microcontroller-based security cameras, one with a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) and another with cellular connectivity. In another scenario, the generator produced approximately 6 W with a steam pipe temperature of 140°C and an ambient of 25°C (ΔT of 115°C). This second system powered LED lights, a cellularinterfaced video surveillance system, and monitoring robots, while simultaneously trickle charging batteries. A third installation totally powered a stand-alone 3G web

Keywords: thermoelectric generator, passive cooling, low temperature, waste-heat,

Internal temperature differences in almost all materials cause energetic excitement and the bulk motion of free electrons. This creates an electromotive force called the thermoelectric effect. Metals typically generate a few microvolts per degree Kelvin. Semiconductors can increase this rate by several of orders of magni-

The thermoelectric effect was reported in the mid-eighteenth century by Franz

Ulrich Theodor Aepinus in his study of the mineral tourmaline [3–5]. In 1794, Alessandro Volta reported muscle spasms in a live frog's leg that were caused by two

non-ferrous wires immersed in separate glasses of water. The glasses were connected by a partially immersed iron rod that had one end preheated in boiling water [5–7]. The generation of an electromotive force produced by heating the junction between two dissimilar metals came to be known as the Seebeck effect, in honor of Thomas Johann Seebeck, who is credited with the discovery of thermoelectric effects through his experiments in the 1820s [1, 8–13]. Later, in 1834, Jean Charles Athanase Peltier published an article on the inverse effect: temperature

point of use DC generator, thermoelectric module, steam pipe
