NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Department
Cabanatuan City

THERMOELECTRIC CHARGER

Submitted to:
DR. FELICIANA P. JACOBA
Professor, Project Study
Engr. GIL B. GARCIA
Senior Researcher

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject

ME 521 (ME Project Study 2)
Second Semester, A.Y. 2015 – 2016

Submitted by:
Mark Joseph Bulanadi
Bon Jorvi de Guzman
Reynaldo Fortaleza Jr.
Aren Jay Garcia
Mark Kristoffer Hilarion
Jim Andre Taganna

MARCH 2016

1
 APPROVAL SHEET

A design project entitled “THERMOLECTRIC CHARGER” is

hereby submitted for consideration and approval.

Accepted as a partial fulfillment of the course and

requirements in ME 521 (ME Project Study 2) with a rating of

________________.

Dr. Feliciana P. Jacoba

Professor, Project Study

 iii

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Foremost, we give thanks and praise to the Lord

Almighty, who gave us strength, diligence, love, inspiration

and knowledge to make this project possible.

We would like to acknowledge with deepest appreciation,

sincerest and profoundest gratitude to our ME 521 professor,

Dr. Feliciana P. Jacoba and our senior researcher, Engr. Gil

B. Garcia for their knowledge in Project studies which gave

us the idea on how we can conduct the study and experiment

in a methodical way. We could never have reached the heights

or explored the depths of Mechanical Engineering without her

help, guidance and constructive criticisms.

To our family and friends, for their motivation and

moral support that boost us to work harder in pursuing this

project and of course for giving us financial support.

To those individuals for their full support, valuable

suggestions, which one way or another helped us make this

project possible and hopefully successful at the same time.

The Researchers
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Title Page.............................................i

Approval Sheet.........................................ii

Acknowledgement........................................iii

Table of Contents......................................iv

I. INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study...........................1

Objectives of the Study...........................3

Significance of the Study.........................3

Scope and delimitation............................4

Research Paradigm.................................5

Conceptual framework..............................5

Definition of Terms...............................6

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES.........8

III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Method of Research................................15

Materials to Be Used..............................15

Discussion of Parts...............................17

Construction of the Project.......................18

Experimentation and Computation of Data...........19

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION............................20

V. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS..........23

VI. REFERENCES........................................25
 5

CHAPTER 1

Introduction

Each year the society spends a tremendous amount of its

energy resources and a significant fraction of these energy

resources consists of fossil fuels which were created

several hundred million years ago and are non-renewable. A

significant amount of energy is being rejected to the ambient

in the electricity generation and the transportation

sectors. This is due to the inefficient utilization of

energy resources and system inefficiencies.

Waste heat can be reutilized as a heat source for other

processes. However, it is often difficult to match efficient

reutilization processes to sources. In contrast, converting

the waste heat into electrical power would be convenient and

effective for a number of applications. Generating

electricity using conventional energy conversion would

necessitate the need for a stable and high energy density

source which is unlike the characteristics of a waste heat

source. However, a directly viable solution for converting

waste heat into electrical energy is to use thermoelectric

power conversion. Thermoelectric power generation (TPG) is

based on solid state technology with no moving parts and can

be easily adapted to wide range of operating conditions.

Several methods based on conventional cycles of heat

exchange have been tested where the amount of residual heat

is great. Today, a much extended application of those

methods is cogeneration. All of these techniques are based

on an initial strong investment and the addition of new

equipment. However, energy is lost if the waste heat source

has a medium or low level of thermal power, because the

investments based on conventional techniques are very high.

The potential use of thermoelectricity in these cases has to

be taken into account. Thermoelectricity able to generate

energy from waste heat sources, it can be very attractive

because it can use energy that would be lost in any case.

In this paper a general overview of the potential use

of waste heat sources for the generation of energy will be

described. By the process of converting waste heat energy

into useable electric power in charging and even generating

gadgets with low power consumption.

Background of the Study

 7

Nearly two-thirds of energy input is lost as waste

heat. Heat is the natural by-product of energy conversion

processes; both conversion of primary fuels to work or

energy, and conversion of energy to work.

Major sources of energy in the world like petroleum,

natural gas, coal and uranium are limited. A dramatic

increase in the primary energy consumption has accompanied

the rapid growth of human economical and social activities

and it is evident that, at the current rate of consumption,

supplies of all types of fuel could become difficult to

obtain by the middle of the next century. Furthermore,

increasing industrial activity has resulted in a steady

increase in the carbon dioxide concentration in the

atmosphere causing an increase in the atmospheric

temperature of the world (global warming). However there are

ways to counteract against these developments and to alter

the overall future outlook to a better one.

Filipinos are now fascinated and can afford buying

numbers of household appliances (such as TVs, refrigerators,

computers and cell phone), resulting in increased

electricity use in households. If this continues to happen,

Philippines will experience low economic growth not only for

residential but as well as the industries. For it can result

in lost data, missed deadlines, decrease in productivity, or

loss of revenue. It is also assumed that global population

growth in combination with industrial development will lead

to a doubling of electricity consumption by 2030.

One solution to this problem is to have an

environmental friendly Thermoelectric Generator that will

benefit the vast areas with poor power out range. This

generation technologies used to provide an alternative to or

an enhancement of the traditional electric power system by

converting waste heat energy for small application like

charging cell phone and even generating gadgets with low

power consumption.

General Objectives
 9

The main objective of this study is to develop a Low Cost

Portable, Compact, and Convertible Thermoelectric Generator

by converting waste heat energy into useable electric power.

Specific Objectives

To plan and design a prototype that can charge mobile

devices by the process of converting waste heat energy into

useful electricity.

1. To develop the capability of TEG module by making a

circuit that can amplify, control and regulate the

output voltage to 5 volts and current to 255 mili-

amperes enough to charge mobile devices.

2. To check the reliability of the prototype in charging

mobile devices without taking damage while charging by

testing the regulated output voltage and current.

3. To measure the time it takes to full charge a mobile

device by using the Thermo Electric Charger.

Significance of the Study

 As technology rapidly grow, we became unaware to our

consumption of electricity in terms of charging gadgets such

as cell phone, iPod, tablets and laptop.

The main idea behind this is to reuse waste heat

produced from the daily activity like cooking activities

into useful and clean electricity for a broad range of

products like charger, lamp shade, fan and etc. Some study

validated that clean and affordable energy services are

important for good physical well-being, reduce dependence to

electricity and productivity of household members.

During Calamities

The Philippines is one of the countries in the world

that experience vulnerable calamities. The Philippines'

exposure to disasters is a significant extent due to the

country's geographical and physical characteristics. Power

shortage is one of the major problems experienced by

affected residences. Just like what happened in Tacloban

after typhoon Yolanda and in Metro Manila after typhoon

Glenda, aside from devastating deaths of many countrymen,

power shortage is one thing that makes their living

miserable. No lights at dawn, all communications are down,

and even charging of phones is not accessible. Mobile

 11

devices serve as an easy and fast communicating agent for

connecting people. Warm communication with love one’s will

not be possible without the means of charging mobile

devices. Imagine a thermoelectric generator that can charge

mobile devices in times of calamities.

Outdoor Activities

As of today, many engage to extreme outdoor activities

such as mountain climbing, island hoping and other outdoor

activities. It is a way to relieve stress and experience new

adventure. And people nowadays enjoyed sharing those

experiences to the social world, but how to keep in touch to

other people if smart phones ran out of battery? Yes, there

are modernization made such as power storage banks, but what

if also ran out of charge? Which part of the mountain will

search for a source of electricity? Well, we cannot really

fully depend on the power bank that we have. Imagine a

portable stove thermoelectric device, while cooking charging

your phonies possible and even serve as a portable media

player for those long journeys; keeping their mobile charged

and ready to go is more important than ever.

Lucrative Business Opportunity

 The battery life is getting shorter as mobile phones

get more and more advanced and their capabilities increase.

It will only last hours or a day before it needs charging.

Majority of people now are relying on their mobiles to keep

in touch with friends and family, to work whilst on the go.

The researchers aim to provide supplementary source of

income generated device powered by TEG charger to take

advantage of the increasing popularity of

telecommunications. The prototype has the same concept of

vendo-charging station but it will use waste heat form a

denatured alcohol as source of energy instead of using

electricity.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

 13

The researchers focused on the study on producing power

using thermoelectric generator. Thermoelectric generators

are devices which convert waste and excess heat energy and

convert it into a reusable form of electricity. This would

have a wide range of applications in fields ranging from

household appliances to spacecraft technology and even in

industrial application, but this study will focus mainly in

charging devices such as cell phone and other gadgets with

low voltage requirements. An enormous number of machines

create waste heat, from household to industrial power

plants. Electricity produced by this generator will be based

on the temperature of one junction heated in a flame while

keeping the other junction in air at lower temperature that

causes potential difference.

The purpose of this study is not to replace the

conventional source of electricity but rather an alternative

source of power at the same time conserve waste heat energy,

which is free of charge. The idea was to reutilize waste

heat, specifically waste heat energy in cooking. The

researchers limit the source of waste heat energy by

creating a specific stove to which the Thermoelectric

Generator will be installed.

Conceptual Framework
 Process

Input

Heat from Heat is applied to a

Denatured thermoelectric device the
Alcohol
heat sink connected to a
Output
scharging circuit.

Consistent renewable
energy DC voltage
for charging

Output

The concept is simple- heat is readily available around

is the source of the thermoelectric charger. As heat is

applied to a device that converts heat to electrical energy,

a renewable output is produced. Thereby supplying uncharged

cellular phone units with alternative power.

Definition of Terms
 15

Cogeneration – the production of electricity using waste

heat from an industrial process or the use of steam from

electric power generation as a source of heat.

Convertible - the capability of the output voltage to change

into another range of voltage.

Fan – a term used to inducing airflow for the purpose of

cooling the other surface of TEG.

Heat engine - is a system that performs the conversion of

heat or thermal energy to electrical energy which can then

be used to do mechanical work.

Oven – an enclosed tank where waste heat energy are being

trapped.

Portable – pertaining to the prototype that is able pass on

from one place to another without being installed.

Thermoelectric effect - is the direct conversion of

temperature differences to electric voltage and vice versa.

Thermoelectric Generators (TEG) – It is a solid state device

that converts temperature differences into electrical

energy, using a phenomenon called the "Seebeck effect".

Waste Heat to Power (WHP) - is the process of recovering

waste heat and using it to generate power with no combustion

and no emissions.

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

 17

Review of Related Literature

Our addiction to electricity has generated a concurrent

addiction to fossil fuels. However, the reserves of fossil

fuels will soon be depleted, since oil is a limited

resource. Over the years, the cost of electricity has risen

to unprecedented levels due the limited supply of oil and

economic and political factors. Thus, renewable energy is a

more attractive alternative to electricity generation, as it

will also provide a cleaner environment for future

generations. In the world today, there are many great

solutions to renewable energy, but some are unfeasible. In

this proposed project, a device will be created to introduce

a way for humans to create renewable energy using

thermoelectric devices.

http://www.spacegrant.hawaii.edu/reports/22_FA09-

SP10/SLee_FA09.pdf

Thermoelectric power generation poses challenges which

are of fundamental and technological nature. The development

of efficient thermoelectric systems is widely recognized as

a strategic topic of applied research in view problems

related to waste heat recovery and conversion to

electricity. This is reflected by abundant literature of the

subject. Recent progress in technological development of

TEG’s has relied to advances in material sciences: new

materials and new techniques to produce specific structures

have permitted the improvement of device performance through

the characterization and optimization of their electrical

and thermal transport properties.

Renewable energy can be created by many methods, for

example, solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy, nuclear

energy, and many more. For each of these different forms of

creating electricity, there are certain limitations. Solar

energy is the most commonly form of renewable energy that is

used in applications ranging from household power to

spacecraft electrical systems. However, solar energy can

only be created when there is sunlight, necessitating the

use of alternate energy sources, or a method of storing

energy for later use. Wind energy and hydro energy have

their own limitations, making them insufficient for wider

usage. Nuclear energy is used in applications such as power

plants and military vehicles. Nuclear sources can supply

adequate amounts of energy, but produces hazardous waste

that is harmful to the environment. This project aims to

provide a source of renewable energy that overcomes the

limitations of current methods.

 19

A thermoelectric device converts thermal energy to

electrical energy by using an array of thermocouples. This

device is a reliable source of power for satellites, space

probes, and even unmanned facilities. Satellites that fly

toward planets that are far away from the sun cannot rely

exclusively on solar panels to generate electricity. These

satellites will have to use an alternative energy source,

such as thermoelectric devices, to generate their power, as

in NASA’s Pluto New Horizons spacecraft. Thermoelectric

devices for deep-space missions use a radioactive material,

like plutonium, to generate heat, and thermocouples to

convert the heat to electricity. Since a thermoelectric

device has no moving parts, it is reliable and can generate

electricity for many years. Studies have been done on

improving the efficiency of thermoelectric generator by

incorporating other technologies, like nanotechnology. By

achieving a better efficiency, thermoelectric devices would

need less radioactive material to produce the same amount of

power, making the power generation system lighter. Less

radioactive material will also decrease the cost of

spaceflight launches. Although these devices are used mostly

in spacecraft technologies, they can be also applied to

technologies on earth, which might further contribute to the

advancement of technology. Some applications of this

technology include automobiles, computers, household

appliances, etc. For example, thermoelectric devices can

enhance the energy production of hybrid automobiles by

producing electricity using the waste heat of the engine. If

an environment has a thermal gradient, thermoelectric

devices can be applied, since they require little

maintenance, and provide electricity for many years.

Brief History of Thermoelectrics

Thermoelectric Effects - Early study of

Thermoelectricity 1820-1920

In the 100 years before the world wars

thermoelectricity was discovered and developed in western

Europe by academic scientists, with much of the activity

centered in Berlin.

Seebeck Effect

In 1821-3 Thomas Johann Seebeck found that a circuit

made from two dissimilar metals, with junctions at different

temperatures would deflect a compass magnet [1]. Seebeck

initially believed this was due to magnetism induced by the

temperature difference and thought it might be related to

the Earth's magnetic field. However, it was quickly realized

 21

that a "Thermoelectric Force" induced an electrical current,

which by Ampree's law deflects the magnet. More

specifically, the temperature difference produces and

electric potential (voltage) which can drive an electric

current in a closed circuit. Today, this is known as the

Seebeck effect.

Instrument used by Seebeck to observe the

Thomas Seebeck
deflection of a compass needle (a) due to

a thermoelectric induced current from

heating the junction of two different

metals (n and o). 

 

The voltage produced is proportional to the temperature

difference between the two junctions. The proportionality

constant (S or a) is known as the Seebeck coefficient, and

often referred to as "thermopower" even though it is more

related to potential than power. In 1851 Gustav Magnus

discovered the Seebeck voltage does not depend on the

distribution of temperature along the metals between the

junctions [2] an indication that the thermopower is

a thermodynamic state function. This is the physical basis

for a thermocouple, which is used often for temperature

measurement.

V = a(Th - Tc)

The voltage difference, V, produced

across the terminals of an open circuit

made from a pair of dissimilar metals, A

and B, whose two junctions are held at

different temperatures, is directly

proportional to the difference between

the hot and cold junction temperatures,

Gustav Magnus Th - Tc [2]. 

 23

Seebeck surveyed many different materials: elements,

alloys and minerals including zinc antimonide, chalcogenide

minerals such as PbS and cobalt arsenide and made a

qualitative ordering of their relative Seebeck effect. In

1910 Werner Haken, following the studies on ZnSb and CdSb of

Becquerel [3], quantitatively characterized the Seebeck

coefficient (now in uV/K) and electrical conductivity of

many elements, alloys and compounds correctly identifying

Sb2Te3, Bi2Te3, Bi0.9Sb0.1, SnTe, Cu-Ni alloys as good

thermoelectric materials and even studied PbTe [4].

  Jean Charles A. Peltier

Peltier Effect

In 1834, a French

watchmaker and part time

physicist, Jean Charles

Athanase Peltier found that

an electrical current would

produce heating or cooling at

the junction of two

dissimilar metals. In 1838

Lenz showed that depending on

the direction of current

flow, heat could be either

removed from a junction to

freeze water into ice, or by

reversing the current, heat

can be generated to melt ice.

The heat absorbed or created

at the junction is

proportional to the

electrical current. The

proportionality constant is

known as the Peltier

coefficient.
 25

     

Thomson Effect    

   

Twenty years later, William   

Thomson (later Lord Kelvin) [5]   

issued a comprehensive explanation   

of the Seebeck and Peltier Effects   

and described their   

interrelationship (known as the   

Kelvin Relations). The Seebeck and   

Peltier coefficients are related   

through thermodynamics. The Peltier   

coefficient is simply the Seebeck   

coefficient times absolute 

temperature. This thermodynamic

derivation leads Thomson to predict William Thomson 

a third thermoelectric effect, now (Lord Kelvin)

known as the Thomson effect. In the

Thomson effect, heat is absorbed or

produced when current flows in a

material with a temperature

gradient. The heat is proportional

to both the electric current and the

temperature gradient. The

proportionality constant, known as

the Thomson coefficient is related

by thermodynamics to the Seebeck

coefficient.
 

Edmund Altenkirch was the first to use the constant

property model to derive the maximum efficiency of a

thermoelectric generator (1909) as well as the performance

of a cooler (1911) when the design and operating conditions

are fully optimized [6]. This correct relationship, later

developed into the 'figure of merit' zT, that good

thermoelectric materials should possess large Seebeck

coefficients, high electrical conductivity (to minimize

Joule heating due to electrical resistance) and low thermal

conductivity (to minimize heat loss). Early thermal

conductivity measurements by A Eucken [7] on solids quickly

revealed that point defects found in alloys significantly

reduces lattice thermal conductivity - a strategy that

becomes important for thermoelectric materials.

Thermoelectric Applications - Excitement and

Disappointment 1920 - 1970

During and after the world wars thermoelectricity was

actively studied for use in valuable technologies, primarily

 27

cooling as well as power generation for military as well as

civilian uses. The political and economic importance of such

devices made advances more difficult and slow to publicise

particularly between the Eastern European and Western

countries. By the 1950's, generator efficiencies had reached

5% and cooling from ambient to below 0 C was demonstrated

which has ultimately lead to some viable industries. Many

thought thermoelectrics would soon replace conventional heat

engines and refrigeration and interest and research in

thermoelectricity grew rapidly at major appliance

corporations such as Westinghouse, universities and national

research laboratories [8]. However, by the end of the 1960's

the pace of progress had slowed with some discussion that

the upper limit of zT might be near 1 and many research

programs were dismantled (despite several reports of zT >

1).

   

 
 Oil burning lamp powering a radio

using the first commercial

thermoelectric generator containing

ZnSb and constantan built in USSR

Abram F. Ioffe beginning in 1948 [9]

 

Figure of Merit zT

In 1949 Abram Fedorovich Ioffe developed the modern

theory of thermoelectricity using the concept of the 'figure

of merit' zT, culminating in the classic texts on

Semiconductor Thermoelements and Thermoelectric Cooling

(1956) [9]. Ioffe also promoted the use of the

semiconductors in thermoelectrics and semiconductor physics

to analyze results and optimize performance. Materials with

 29

high thermoelectric figures of merit are typically heavily

doped semiconductors, the best known are the tellurides of

antimony, bismuth and lead. Ioffe and his institute in Saint

Petersburg actively pursued thermoelectric research and

development in USSR leading to some of the first commercial

thermoelectric power generation and cooling devices. Ioffe

was one of the first to promote the use of alloying to

reduce lattice thermal conductivity by point defects.

One of the first demonstrations of

0 C cooling was by H. Julian

Goldsmid in 1954 using

thermoelements based on Bi2Te3

[10]. Goldsmid was one of the first

to utilize the thermoelectric

quality factor, identifying the

importance of high mobility and

effective mass combination and low

lattice thermal conductivity in H. Julian Goldsmid

semiconductors that when properly

doped make good thermoelectric

materials. Goldsmid authored many

introductory books

including Introduction to
Thermoelecricity(2010).
 

In the search for high zT materials, a general strategy

guided by the quality factor has been to look for small band

gap semiconductors made from heavy elements. Glen Slack

summarized the material requirements succinctly in the

"phonon-glass electron-crystal" concept that the phonons

should be disrupted like in a glass but the electrons should

have high mobility like they do in crystalline

semiconductors [11].

Thermoelectric Industry - Niche Applications 1970 – 2000

The reliability and simplicity of thermoelectricity

enables niche applications for this solid-state technology

even while conventional processes are more efficient.

Besides thermocouples, a small but stable industry to

produce Peltier coolers based on Bi2Te3-Sb2Te3 formed which

now produce coolers for a variety of products ranging from

optoelectronics, small refrigerators and seat

cooling/heating systems. The need for reliable, remote power

sources provids some niche applications for thermoelectric

power generation.
 31

T he maturity of the science, technology and

commercial use of thermoelectricity has lead to a number of

focused scientific meetings and organizations, the largest

of which is the International Thermoelectric Society with

meetings since 1970.

Thermoelectric generator
 Thermoelectric power generator is any of a class

of solid-state devices that either convert heat directly

into electricity or transform electrical energy into thermal

power for heating or cooling. Such devices are based on

thermoelectric effects involving interactions between the

flow of heat and of electricity through solid bodies.

All thermoelectric power generators have the same basic

configuration, as shown in the figure. A heat source

provides the high temperature, and the heat flows through a

thermoelectric converter to a heat sink, which is maintained

at a temperature below that of the source. The temperature

differential across the converter produces direct

current (DC) to a load (RL) having a terminal voltage (V)

and a terminal current (I). There is no intermediate energy

conversion process. For this reason, thermoelectric power

generation is classified as direct power conversion. The

amount of electrical power generated is given by I2RL,

or VI.

A unique aspect of thermoelectric energy conversion is

that the direction of energy flow is reversible. So, for

instance, if the load resistor is removed and a DC power

supply is substituted, the thermoelectric device can be used

to draw heat from the “heat source” element and lower its

temperature. In this configuration, the reversed energy-

 33

conversion process of thermoelectric devices is invoked,

using electrical power to pump heat and

produce refrigeration.

This reversibility distinguishes thermoelectric energy

converters from many other conversion systems, such

as thermionic power converters. Electrical input power can

be directly converted to pumped thermal power for heating or

refrigerating, or thermal input power can be converted

directly to electrical power for lighting, operating

electrical equipment, and other work. Any thermoelectric

device can be applied in either mode of operation, though

the design of a particular device is usually optimized for

its specific purpose.

Systematic study began on thermoelectricity between

about 1885 and 1910. By 1910 Edmund Altenkirch, a German

scientist, satisfactorily calculated the potential

efficiency of thermoelectric generators and delineated the

parameters of the materials needed to build practical

devices. Unfortunately, metallic conductors were the only

materials available at the time, rendering it unfeasible to

build thermoelectric generators with an efficiency of more

than about 0.5 percent. By 1940 a semiconductor-based

generator with a conversion efficiency of 4 percent had been

developed. After 1950, in spite of increased research and

development, gains in thermoelectric power-generating

efficiency were relatively small, with efficiencies of not

much more than 10 percent by the late 1980s. Better

thermoelectric materials will be required in order to go

much beyond this performance level. Nevertheless, some low-

power varieties of thermoelectric generators have proven to

be of considerable practical importance. Those fueled

by radioactive isotopes are the most versatile, reliable,

and generally used power source for isolated or remote

sites, such as for recording and transmitting data from

space.

Major types of thermoelectric generators

Thermoelectric power generators vary in geometry,

depending on the type of heat source and heat sink, the

power requirement, and the intended use. During World War

II, some thermoelectric generators were used to power

portable communications transmitters. Substantial

improvements were made in semiconductor materials and in

electrical contacts between 1955 and 1965 that expanded the

practical range of application. In practice, many units

require a power conditioner to convert the generator output

to a usable voltage.
 35

Fossil-fuel generators

Generators have been constructed to use natural

gas, propane, butane, kerosene, jet fuels, and wood, to name

but a few heat sources. Commercial units are usually in the

10- to 100-watt output power range. These are for use in

remote areas in applications such as navigational aids, data

collection and communications systems, and cathodic

protection, which prevents electrolysis from corroding

metallic pipelines and marine structures.

Solar-source generators

Solar thermoelectric generators have been used with

some success to power small irrigation pumps in remote areas

and underdeveloped regions of the world. An experimental

system has been described in which warm surface ocean water

is used as the heat source and cooler deep ocean water as

the heat sink. Solar thermoelectric generators have been

designed to supply electric power in orbiting spacecraft,

though they have not been able to compete with silicon solar

cells, which have better efficiency and lower unit weight.

However, consideration has been given to systems featuring

both heat pumping and power generation for thermal control

of orbiting spacecraft. Utilizing solar heat from the Sun-

oriented side of the spacecraft, thermoelectric devices can

generate electrical power for use by other thermoelectric

devices in dark areas of the spacecraft and to dissipate

heat from the vehicle.

Nuclear-fueled generators

The decay products of radioactive isotopes can be used

to provide a high-temperature heat source for thermoelectric

generators. Because thermoelectric device materials are

relatively immune to nuclearradiation and because the source

can be made to last for a long period of time, such

generators provide a useful source of power for many

unattended and remote applications. For example,

radioisotope thermoelectric generators provide electric

power for isolated weather monitoring stations, for deep-

ocean data collection, for various warning and

communications systems, and for spacecraft. In addition, a

low-power radioisotope thermoelectric generator was

developed as early as 1970 and used to power cardiac

pacemakers. The power range of radioisotope thermoelectric

generators is generally between 10−6 and 100 watts.

Principles of operation
 37

An introduction to the phenomena of thermoelectricity

is necessary to understand the operating principles of

thermoelectric devices.

Seebeck effect

In 1821 the German physicist Thomas Johann

Seebeck discovered that when two strips of different

electrically conducting materials were separated along their

length but joined together by two “legs” at their ends,

a magnetic field developed around the legs, provided that a

temperature difference existed between the two junctions. He

published his observations the following year, and the

phenomenon came to be known as the Seebeck effect. However,

Seebeck did not identify the cause of the magnetic field.

This magnetic field results from equal but opposite electric

currents in the two metal-strip legs. These currents are

caused by an electric potential difference across the

junctions induced by thermal differences between the

materials. If one junction is open but the temperature

differential is maintained, current no longer flows in the

legs but a voltage can be measured across the open circuit.

This generated voltage (V) is the Seebeck voltage and is

related to the difference in temperature (ΔT) between the

heated junction and the open junction by a proportionality

factor (α) called the Seebeck coefficient, or V = αΔT. The

value for α is dependent on the types of material at the

junction.

Peltier effect

In 1834 the French physicist and watchmaker Jean-

Charles-Athanase Peltier observed that if a current is

passed through a single junction of the type described

above, the amount of measured heat generated is not

consistent with what would be predicted solely from ohmic

heating caused by electrical resistance. This observation is

called the Peltier effect. As in Seebeck’s case, Peltier

failed to define the cause of the anomaly. He did not

identify that heat was absorbed or evolved at the junction

depending on the direction of the current. He also did not

recognize the reversible nature of this thermoelectric

phenomenon, nor did he associate his discovery with that of

Seebeck.

Thomson effect
 39

It was not until 1855 that William Thomson (later Lord

Kelvin) drew the connection between the Seebeck and Peltier

effects, which was the first significant contribution to the

understanding of thermoelectric phenomena. He showed that

the Peltier heat or power (Qp) at a junction was

proportional to the junction current (I) through the

relationship Qp = πI, where π is the Peltier coefficient.

Through thermodynamic analysis, Thomson also showed the

direct relation between the Seebeck and Peltier effects,

namely that π = αT, where T is the temperature of the

junction. Furthermore, on the basis of thermodynamic

considerations, he predicted what came to be known as

the Thomson effect, that heat power (Qτ) is absorbed or

evolved along the length of a material rod whose ends are at

different temperatures. This heat was shown to be

proportional to the flow of current and to the temperature

gradient along the rod. The proportionality factor τ is

known as theThomson coefficient.

Review of Related Studies

Power from Waste Heat

Thermoelectric wristwatch
 A study made regarding to good example of

thermoelectric energy harvesting is the thermoelectric

wristwatch, which utilizes thin bulk thermoelectric devices.

The watch is driven by body heat converted into the

electrical power by the thermoelectric. The thermoelectric

watch produces 2 μW of electrical power from a 1.5K

temperature drop across the intricately machined

thermoelectric modules, the open circuit voltage is 300 mV,

and thermal to electric efficiency is about 0.1%. Although

this product is no longer in production, the thermoelectric

wristwatch demonstrates the viability of utilizing

thermoelectric in small power sources.

Seiko Thermic, a wristwatch powered by body heat using

a thermoelectric generator; (a) the watch, (b) cross-

sectional diagram
 41

Electricity conversion of waste heat from automobile exhaust

Efforts are already underway to demonstrate waste heat

recovery in automobiles. The ~1 kW range, even relatively

inefficient thermoelectric can be competitive for use with

such waste heat in automobile exhaust when design,

fabrication, and maintenance cost are factored in the

proposed design for BMW cars.

The coverage of the study is to extract waste heat from

the exhaust that will deliver DC electrical power to

recharge the battery. By reducing or even eliminating the

need for the alternator, the load on the engine is reduced

thereby improving fuel efficiency by as much as 10%.

Conceptual design of thermoelectric generator producing

electricity from waste heat in the engine exhaust.

https://www.electrochem.org/dl/interface/fal/fal08/fal08_p54

-56.pdf
 Chapter 3

METHODOLOGY

This chapter indicates and explains the methodology

used in this study. This study was determined by a
prototype. Below is the step by step procedure for the
 43

study.

Figure 3.1, Step by Step Procudure of the Study

 The researchers used the specific method for this

project study. Science is systematic. It is rigorous and

methodical, requiring that test be repeated so results can

be verified. So, science can be thought of as a way of

thinking, but also as a way of working- a process requiring

scientists to ask question, make hypotheses and test their

hypotheses through experimentation. This process is know

today as the specific method, and its basic principle are

used by the researchers in every discipline, in every part

of the world.

Materials, Equipment and Tools

Materials, equipment, and tools used to accomplish the

project. The tools to be used are the following:

 Digital multi meter to measure voltage and current

 Pliers for gripping the parts to be joined together, hack

saw for cutting the heat sink, hand drill for making holes,

hammer for beating metal. Other materials that was specified

below:
 45

Materials to be used:

TEC module(2) Php 500.00

Heat Zinc Php 80.00
Bolts and Nuts Php 50.00
Denatured Alcohol Php 25.00
Voltage Booster Php 180.00
Thermal Paste Php 84.00
Total Php 919.00

Parts Function

Thermoelectric It is the one who absorbs thermal

Couple Module energy and convert it in electrical
energy.

Heat Zinc It absorbs the direct heat from the

alcohol lamp and transfers it to the
thermoelectric module.

Mobile Charger It absorbs the electrical energy

created by the thermoelectric couple
and transfers it to the cell phone unit
that will be charged.
Volt Meter It is used to read the voltage output
of the thermoelectric charger.

TEC Module Specification: 

Model: TEC1-12706 
Size: 40mm x 40mm x 4mm 

Max power consumption: 60 Watts 

Open-circuit voltage (V) 0.97 1.8 2.4 3.6 4.8

Temperature difference :(℃) 20 40 60 80 100

Current: (mA) 225 368 469 558 669

A thermoelectric generator is a semiconductor device

that transforms the heat difference between its two layers

into electricity.

It belongs to a class of materials called

“thermoelectrics” and are one of auto industry’s greatest

hopes in what regards the savings obtained from an internal

combustion engine, and is also called “Peltier generator.”

With a Peltier generator, a car can effectively

decrease its fuel consumption by recovering part of the

energy the engine loses as heat and transferring it to a

battery, thus helping power the car electronics and even air

conditioning. In the case of hybrid cars, a thermoelectric

generator unit could also translate heat into motion.

Design Procedure

1. Take two heat zincs big enough for your needs.

 47

2. Place the thermoelectric module between the two heat

zincs.

3. Screw the whole assembly together and apply heat source

on one side of the radiators. The longer you wait, the

higher the voltage and current you get from the

thermoelectric device.

4. Connect the wires of the thermoelectric module to the

wires of the mobile charger.

HOW DO THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS (TEGS) WORK?

Thermoelectric generators are solid-state heat engines

that operate according to the Seebeck Effect – a theory that

claims a temperature difference across thermoelectric

material can be converted directly into electrical power.

A thermoelectric generator is made of many pairs of p-

type and n-type elements. The p-type elements are made of

semiconductor materials doped such that the charge carriers

are positive (holes) and Seebeck coefficient is positive.

The n-type elements are made of semiconductor material doped

such that the charge carriers are negative (electrons) and

the Seebeck coefficient is negative.

 

Figure 1

Connecting a p-type element to an n-type element

creates a voltage potential across the junction. This

voltage potential is proportional to the differences in the

Seebeck coefficient in each element and the temperature of

the junction.

When one electrically connects a p-type element to the

n-type element, the mobile holes in the p-type element “see”

the mobile electrons in the n-type element and migrate just

to the other side of the junction (See Figure 1).

When one electrically connects a p-type element to the

n-type element, the mobile holes in the p-type element “see”

the mobile electrons in the n-type element and migrate just

to the other side of the junction. For every hole that

migrates into the n-type element, an electron from the n-

 49

type element migrates into the p-type element. Soon, each

hole and electron that “switch sides” will be in equilibrium

and act like a barrier, preventing more electrons or holes

from migrating. This is called the depletion zone (see

figures 2 and 3).

Figure 2

Figure 3

Heating this depletion zone area and cooling other ends

of the element can break down this depletion zone. The

mobile holes in the p-type are excited by the heat and move

further into the element with the extra kinetic energy. The

same happens to the mobile electrons in the n-type material.

The net effect: many of the holes pile up at the cold end of
the p-type element and many of the electrons pile up at the

cold end of the n-type element, thereby creating a voltage

potential across the p-n junction when measured from cold

end to cold end (see figure 4).

Figure 4

Add a voltage potential in picture from cold end of

left to right.

By placing an electrical load or wire from the cold end

of the p-type element to the n-type element, the electrons

from the n-type element will “see” all of the holes piled up

at the end of the p-type element and hitch a ride along the

wire into the p-type material. In response, a hole from the

p-type element will “see” a vacancy in the n-type element

 51

and migrate in that direction. The end effect is current

flow across a voltage potential (from the p-n junction) (see

figure 5), and electrical power is created. This power is a

function of many things such as temperature difference,

Seebeck coefficients, and the electrical load that connects

the cold sides. And of course, this concept can be

extrapolated for many p-n couples.

Figure 5

Chapter IV

Results and Discussion

The voltage generated by the thermoelectric couples

after a certain minutes of absorbing heat was 5 volts. A

multi-tester was used to measure the voltage.

 The optimized measurement of output voltage and current

is divided by three (3) measuring intervals. Each interval

has one (1) minute in between and shall be measured by means

of voltmeter and ammeter. The readings are tabulated below:

Interval Time Voltage Current

(Hour) (V) (mAh)

1st .0167
2nd .033
3rd .05

The test shows that after the startup of the thermo

electric charger __ minutes is required to deliver enough

power in charging a mobile device.

The remaining time to full charge a mobile device shall

be measured by three (3) intervals. Each interval consists

of 5 minutes in between and shall be indicated by the mobile

device itself. The readings are tabulated below:

Interval Time (hour) Initial Indicated

Charge (%) Charge Time

(hour)
1st .083
2nd .167
3rd .25
 53

The data shows that the charge is increased by __% and

the indicated charge time is decreased by __ minutes for

every 5 minutes the thermoelectric charger is in use.

VI. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

SUMMARY:

The thermoelectric charger has functional role in terms of power

generation. Utilizing this type of device can help use waste heat energy and

convert it to a useful energy to produce electricity for mobile charging. The device

can use during calamities and outdoor activities wherein there is a possible

happening that there will be no available power to charge mobile devices.

CONCLUSIONS:

Based on the result, the researchers’ findings of the study are the

following:
 1. The project has two output sources, one is from TEG and one is from

TEC. TEG and TEC modules produce the same voltage and amperage.

2. The project has weak output voltage and amperage and it must be

developed to charge mobile devices quickly.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

This project aims to help the community to use heat energy, preferably

waste heat to be more useful and together with that is to make a good source of

electricity. Based on the comments and suggestions the team had received,

some adjustments are recommended for the project such as:

1. Add more TEC module to produce more electricity.

2. Install a cooling system, preferably air cooling system parallel to the fins.

3.