John T. Kelly, PI; Mehdi Namazian; Bing Xiao, Ph.D.; Ken Lux; Jose Esquivel
Abstract
Thermo-electric generators (TEG) can generate power from process waste heat and reduce fuel use and cost, criteria pollutants, and greenhouse gases. However, these systems have low efficiencies that hinder cost-effectiveness. Increasing TEG efficiency will make these systems more competitive. This project explored how the Advanced Thermo-electric Generator System (ATEGS) can exceed five percent efficiency and also have a payback time of fewer than five years. To meet these goals, high-temperature lead telluride (PbTe) and low-temperature bismuth telluride (BiTe) modules were fabricated, integrated into systems, and tested in an available boiler/heater to demonstrate ATEGS efficiencies at high and low temperatures. The high-temperature PbTe modules exceeded an efficiency of five percent, with a payback of 6.27 years. The low-temperature BiTe module payback was 4.77 years, which meets the project target. The high- and low-exhaust temperature combined heat and power systems had low paybacks of 1.00 and 0.56 years, respectively.
