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access icon free Design and implementation of a new portable thermoelectric generator for low geothermal temperatures

  • Author(s): Rasit Ahiska 1  and  Hayati Mamur 2
    • View affiliations
    • Affiliations: 1: Faculty of Technology, Department of Electronics and Computer Education, Gazi University, Teknikokullar, Ankara 06500, Turkey;
      2: Vocational School, Department of Electronics and Automation, Cankiri Karatekin University, Tasmescit, Cankiri 18200, Turkey
  • Source: Volume 7, Issue 6, November 2013, p. 700 – 706
    DOI:  10.1049/iet-rpg.2012.0320 , Print ISSN 1752-1416, Online ISSN 1752-1424
© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Received 30/10/2012, Accepted 02/05/2013, Revised 11/03/2013, Published

In this study, the design and implementation of a new portable thermoelectric generator of 100 W for low geothermal temperatures has been carried out. For this system, a new SCADA-based testing and measuring system equipped with special software has been developed and employed for the first time. Thus, effects of the hot–cold water flow rates, the temperature differences between the surfaces and the load resistance affecting output power and efficiency of the thermoelectric generator have been investigated by a single testing and measuring system device. In the established SCADA-based testing and measuring system, the hot–cold water flows passed throughout the surfaces of the thermoelectric generator were increased by up to 3.7 and 12.8 l/min, respectively. Then, the temperature difference between the surfaces of the thermoelectric generator was measured as 67°C. When the load resistance of the thermoelectric generator was about 15 Ω, the maximum power of the thermoelectric generator was obtained as 41.6 W and the conversion efficiency was calculated as 3.9%. Also, the SCADA-based testing and measuring system will open up a new stage in examination of various thermoelectric generators.

Inspec keywords: power engineering computing; temperature measurement; thermoelectric conversion; power system measurement; flow measurement; SCADA systems

Other keywords: hot-cold water flow rate; SCADA-based testing; power 41.6 W; low geothermal temperature difference; portable thermoelectric generator; load resistance; power 100 W; temperature 67 degC; measurement system

Subjects: Power system measurement and metering; Thermal variables measurement; Thermoelectric conversion; Power system management, operation and economics; Level, flow and volume measurement; Other direct energy conversion; Data acquisition systems; Power engineering computing; Thermometry

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