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INDEX
Content:
 Certificate
 Acknowledgement
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Thermoelectric Generator
 Experiment
 Types of TEG
 Advantages and
Disadvantages of TEG
 Application
 Bibliography
ABSTRACT
The thermoelectric generators recover useful energy by the
function of thermoelectric modules which can convert
waste heat energy into electricity from automotive exhaust. In
the actual operation, the electrical connected thermoelectric
modules are operated under temperature mismatch conditions
and then the problem of decreased power output causes due to
the inhomogeneous temperature gradient distribution on heat
exchanger surface. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) have
demonstrated their ability to directly convert thermal energy
into an electrical one via the Seebeck effect. Also, they are
environmentally friendly because they do not contain
chemical products, they operate silently because they do not
have mechanical structures and/or moving parts, and they can
be fabricated on many types of substrates like silicon,
polymers, and ceramics. Furthermore, TEGs are position-
independent, present a long operating lifetime and are
suitable for integration into bulk and flexible devices. This
paper presents in-depth analysis of TEGs, starting by an
extensive description of their working principle, types, and
used materials. This manuscript also describes the
exploitation of TEGs in various fields starting from low-power
applications (medical and wearable devices, internet of
things, and WSN: wireless sensor network) to high-power
applications (industrial electronics, automotive engines, and
aerospace).
INTRODUCTIO
N
The thermoelectric generator (TEG) is a device for directly
converting thermal energy into electrical energy based on
the Seebeck effect and it has presented urgent potential in the
case of waste heat recovery. The TEGs have many advantages
such as no moving mechanical parts, long-lived, quiet,
environmentally friendly and requiring little maintenance. As
a significant cause for the fuel crisis and environmental
pollution, the internal combustion engine (ICE) drives
vehicles with only 30% of the total heat generated by the
gasoline used. During this process, the other 40% of the heat
is lost through waste gas exhaust and 30% by the coolant. The
TEG using automobile waste exhaust as heat source is
believed a new way to reduce ICE loads as well as
the alternator and then decrease fuel consumption and
environmental pollution.
This is discovered by Seebeck in 1821.Peltier did exactly this

in 1834 by discovering the opposite effect and Lord Calvin in
1851 formulated the laws that link these two phenomena. In
the following century, in 1909 Edmuind Altenkirch correctly
calculated for the first time the energy efficiency of a
thermoelectric generator now known as figure of merit.
Many automobile manufacturers, such as GM in the USA,

BMW in the Germany, successfully developed TEGs to
recover the exhaust waste heat.
THERMOELECTRIC
GENERATOR
The thermoelectric generator is a device, where electric
energy is produced directly from heat energy. They are also
called Seebeck generators since they used Seebeck effect to
produce power. In conventional power plant, like thermal
power plants, nuclear power plants, fuel is used to heat the
water. Generally, coal is burnt in that process. After the water
starts boiling, and converted into steam, at high pressure, this
steam is used to rotate the turbine and hence mechanical
energy is converted into electric energy by Fleming’s law of
electromagnetic induction. In this process, there are two stage
energy conversions, first heat energy is converted into
mechanical energy and the mechanical energy is converted
into electric energy. Because of this two-stage process, the
efficiency of the overall system goes down. If we can directly
convert heat energy to electrical energy, efficiency will be
more. In the thermoelectric generator, heat energy is directly
converted to electric energy, which has high economic
benefits. Thermoelectric generators fundamentally use the
thermoelectric principle of operation, which is based on the
temperature gradient.
Thermoelectric Peltier power generator
EXPERIMENT
Materials required:
◾ Ply wood
◾ Aluminium Sheet (5×6cm)
◾ Peltier Module
◾ Thermal paste
◾ Small DC motor
◾ Metal container/bowl
◾ Candle
◾ Nails
Procedure:
1.Take the aluminium sheet and fix it to the ply
wood with the help of nails.
2. Now apply thermal paste on the base of
peltier module so as to distribute the given
heat uniformly.
3. Take the metal container/bowl, and apply
thermal paste on its bottom or the place where
the metal container/bowl touches the peltier
module.
4. Now fix the DC motor on the ply wood.
5. After fixing the motor, connect the wires
correspondingly (i.e.) black to black and red
to red.
6. Pour cold water or place an ice cube on the
metal container/bowl.
7. Now place a burning candle below the
aluminium sheet.
8. The motor starts to work and hence electricity
is produced.
DIFFERENT
TYPES
The classification of thermoelectric generators depends on the
method by which input heat is produced. Different types of
thermoelectric generators are:
Fossil Fuel Generators: In this type, the heat is generated by burning

fossil fuels; the fossil fuels used for this purpose are natural gas,
propane, butane, etc. Its range is from 10W to 100 W.
Solar Source Generators: In this type, the heat is produced using

solar energy.
Nuclear Fuelled Generators: In this type, nuclear energy is used to

input the heat. Its power rating is high as compared to other
generators. It may go 1000 W.
ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES
The advantages of thermoelectric generators include the following:
 Economically friendly
 Recycles waste heat
 A reliable source of energy
 Lower production cost

The disadvantages of thermoelectric generators include the
following:
 Low efficiency
 Limited applications
 Requires a constant source of heat
 Energy cannot be stored
APPLICATIONS
The application of thermoelectric generator includes the
following:
 Electronics
 Space applications
 Renewable energy sources
 Gas pipelines
 Radio communication
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://en.wikipedia.org
https://www.researchgate.net
https://www.watelectrical.com
https://www.britannica.com

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INDEX

This is discovered by Seebeck in 1821.Peltier did exactly this

Many automobile manufacturers, such as GM in the USA,

Fossil Fuel Generators: In this type, the heat is generated by burning

Solar Source Generators: In this type, the heat is produced using

Nuclear Fuelled Generators: In this type, nuclear energy is used to

 Recycles waste heat

 A reliable source of energy

 Lower production cost

 Requires a constant source of heat

 Energy cannot be stored

 Renewable energy sources

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