Thermoelectric phenomenon in hollow blocks

TL;DR

This paper models thermoelectric generators embedded in hollow blocks to harvest waste heat, demonstrating voltage generation and optimizing design for efficiency and cost using numerical simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a coupled heat transfer and thermoelectric model for hollow blocks with embedded TEGs, validated by finite difference and finite element simulations, and optimized for economic use.

Findings

Single TEG produces 5.85mV at ΔT=30K

Three TEGs generate 0.72V, 0.06A, ZT=0.55

Numerical validation of TEG performance in hollow blocks

Abstract

The work presented in this article describes thermoelectric effect in hollow blocks for heat waste harvesting purposes. The study consists of developing a numerical model formed by a heat transfer equation coupled to thermoelectric effects equations to study thermoelectric generators(TEG) incorporated inside Lebanese hollow blocks through two simulations using finite difference scheme and using finite element scheme. Results showed a voltage of 5.85mV produced from a single 8.6 x 0.4 x 0.4 cm3 thermoelectric leg made of Bismuth Antimony Telluride for {\Delta}T=30K. A design with 3 TEGs incorporated inside a hollow block was tested and validated numerically using both methods, the main results obtained for {\Delta}T=30K, showed a voltage {\Delta}V=0.72V, a current I=0.06 A and a figure of merit ZT=0.55. The design was then optimized for economic purposes.