Thermoelectric Generator for Waste Heat Recovery System
Keywords:
Waste Heat Recovery, Thermoelectric Recovery, Thermoelectric Generator (TEG), Energy Conversion Efficiency, Thermoelectric Modules, High Temperature Gradient, Low Thermal Conductivity, Power Output, Automotive Applications, Industrial Applications, Clean Energy SolutionAbstract
The growing demand for sustainable energy solutions has intensified interest in recovering waste heat to reduce energy losses in automotive and industrial systems. In this study, a thermoelectric generator (TEG) system was designed, modelled, and experimentally validated to convert waste heat into electrical energy using the Seebeck effect. Thermoelectric modules were selected based on a high Seebeck coefficient and low thermal conductivity to minimize energy losses while maintaining a large temperature gradient across the system. Thermal and electrical performance of the TEG system under varying operating conditions was analysed using ANSYS and MATLAB Multiphysics simulations. Experimental validation demonstrated a maximum electrical power output of 3.0 W and a peak thermal-to-electrical conversion efficiency of 6.0% at a temperature differential of 350 °C. The results indicate that compact thermoelectric generator systems can serve as reliable, maintenance-free, and decentralized power sources for waste heat recovery in automotive exhausts and industrial processes. Although conversion efficiency and power management remain key challenges for thermoelectric technologies, the findings highlight their significant potential for clean energy harvesting from medium- to high-grade waste heat sources.
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