Abstract:
Studies and research on the thermoelectric power generator which converts heat into
electricity had given attention ever since the Seebeck effect was discovered by Thomas
Seebeck in 1821. This effect inspires a temperature difference is executed between two
junctions, the potential difference will occur on the voltmeter. This voltage difference is
proportional to the temperature change. However, the main limitation for technological
development and application was the low conversion efficiency because it depends on the
difference in temperature between the heat source and the heat sink. The power and
conversion efficiency for a thermoelectric module is the objective of this study to be
enhanced by maximizing change in temperature using a direct evaporative cooler as a
heat sink of TEG. The experiments and numerical analysis were carried out to study the
influences of the main factors of the evaporative cooler such as the air velocity, the flow
rate of water consumption, and the staging of cooling pad on the power and efficiency of
the thermoelectric generator. The parameters were found to significantly affect the
cooling capacity and the power and efficiency of a thermoelectric generator. A search for
optimal conditions such as air velocity, water consumption, and cooling pad staging of
3m/s, 3.2g/s, and three-stage was carried out as a result of the maximum power output
and the corresponding thermoelectric generator conversion efficiency of 37.2W and
6.08%, respectively was found at approximately 150°C temperature change between the
hot and cold surface. Validation of the numerical results with those from the experimental
results was also presented; the predicted and experimental results would be in good
agreement with less than 2 % error.