scholarly journals Thermoelectric Power Generators: State-of-the-Art, Heat Recovery Method, and Challenges

Electricity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-386
Author(s):  
Rima Aridi ◽  
Jalal Faraj ◽  
Samer Ali ◽  
Thierry Lemenand ◽  
Mahmoud Khaled
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Heat Recovery ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Seebeck Effect ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Recovery Method

Electricity plays a significant role in daily life and is the main component of countless applications. Thus, ongoing research is necessary to improve the existing approaches, or find new approaches, to enhancing power generation. The thermoelectric generator (TEG) is among the notable and widespread technologies used to produce electricity, and converts waste energy into electrical energy using the Seebeck effect. Due to the Seebeck effect, temperature change can be turned into electrical energy; hence, a TEG can be applied whenever there is a temperature difference. The present paper presents the theoretical background of the TEG, in addition to a comprehensive review of the TEG and its implementation in various fields. This paper also sheds light on the new technologies of the TEG and their related challenges. Notably, it was found that the TEG is efficient in hybrid heat recovery systems, such as the phase change material (PCM), heat pipe (HP), and proton exchange membrane (PEM), and the efficiency of the TEG has increased due to a set of improvements in the TEG’s materials. Moreover, results show that the TEG technology has been frequently applied in recent years, and all of the investigated papers agree that the TEG is a promising technology in power generation and heat recovery systems.

Residential Experience with Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Systems for Combined Heat and Power

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 263-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darrell D. Massie ◽  
Daisie D. Boettner ◽  
Cheryl A. Massie
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Heat Recovery ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Exchange Membrane

As part of a one-year Department of Defense demonstration project, proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems have been installed at three residences to provide electrical power and waste heat for domestic hot water and space heating. The 5kW capacity fuel cells operate on reformed natural gas. These systems operate at preset levels providing power to the residence and to the utility grid. During grid outages, the residential power source is disconnected from the grid and the fuel cell system operates in standby mode to provide power to critical loads in the residence. This paper describes lessons learned from installation and operation of these fuel cell systems in existing residences. Issues associated with installation of a fuel cell system for combined heat and power focus primarily on fuel cell siting, plumbing external to the fuel cell unit required to support heat recovery, and line connections between the fuel cell unit and the home interior for natural gas, water, electricity, and communications. Operational considerations of the fuel cell system are linked to heat recovery system design and conditions required for adequate flow of natural gas, air, water, and system communications. Based on actual experience with these systems in a residential setting, proper system design, component installation, and sustainment of required flows are essential for the fuel cell system to provide reliable power and waste heat.

scholarly journals Comparative Study on the Effects of Three Membrane Modification Methods on the Performance of Microbial Fuel Cell

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liping Fan ◽  
Junyi Shi ◽  
Tian Gao
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cell ◽  
Water Purification ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Generation Capacity ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Proton exchange membrane is an important factor affecting the power generation capacity and water purification effect of microbial fuel cells. The performance of microbial fuel cells can be improved by modifying the proton exchange membrane by some suitable method. Microbial fuel cells with membranes modified by SiO2/PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride), sulfonated PVDF and polymerized MMA (methyl methacrylate) electrolyte were tested and their power generation capacity and water purification effect were compared. The experimental results show that the three membrane modification methods can improve the power generation capacity and water purification effect of microbial fuel cells to some extent. Among them, the microbial fuel cell with the polymerized MMA modified membrane showed the best performance, in which the output voltage was 39.52 mV, and the electricity production current density was 18.82 mA/m2, which was 2224% higher than that of microbial fuel cell with the conventional Nafion membrane; and the COD (chemical oxygen demand) removal rate was 54.8%, which was 72.9% higher than that of microbial fuel cell with the conventional Nafion membrane. Modifying the membrane with the polymerized MMA is a very effective way to improve the performance of microbial fuel cells.

scholarly journals Proton exchange membrane fuel cells for electrical power generation on-board commercial airplanes

2013 ◽  
Vol 101 ◽  
pp. 776-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph W. Pratt ◽  
Leonard E. Klebanoff ◽  
Karina Munoz-Ramos ◽  
Abbas A. Akhil ◽  
Dita B. Curgus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Electrical Power Generation ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Heat Recovery From Commercial On-Site Power Generation System: Desiccant Dehumidification vs. Absorption Cooling

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Czachorski ◽  
John Kelly ◽  
Kevin Olsen
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
Heat Recovery ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Commercial Building ◽  
Absorption Cooling

As commercial building on-site power generation technologies mature to the point of becoming “off-the-shelf” products, the importance of effective heat recovery is demonstrated time and time again in applications where three to six year paybacks typically are necessary to convince building owners to purchase and install these new technologies. This paper explores the effectiveness and economic benefit of different methods of utilizing recoverable heat from on-site power generation equipment in commercial buildings (Cooling, Heating and Power systems – CHP). An optimal configuration of heat recovery options is explored based on analysis of heat recovery from microturbine(s) exhaust to support commercial building heating and cooling/dehumidification needs. Benefits of recovering heat for space heating/domestic hot water production and to support desiccant dehumidification vs. absorption cooling are studied in five different building types (large supermarket, large retail store, medium size office building, full service restaurant and quick service restaurant). Buildings are evaluated at four different geographical locations, allowing additional study of the climatic conditions on the optimum heat recovery system configuration for specific building types. A sophisticated model, incorporating performance algorithms of state-of-the-art power generation, dehumidification and absorption cooling equipment, is used for calculating annual energy/cost savings for CHP systems and optimization of basic parameters, such as generator size/number and heat recovery equipment selection.

scholarly journals Simulation of Fuel Cell Technology Using Matlab

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.27) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
G Sheebha Jyothi ◽  
Y Bhaskar Rao
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Exchange Membrane

This paper represents a mathematical model for proton exchange membrane fuel cell(PEMFC)system. Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (also called polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cells(PEM)) provides a continuous electrical energy supply from fuel at high levels of efficiency and power density. PEMs provide a solid, corrosion free electrolyte, a low running temperature, and fast response to power.  

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