Research on electricity production from flue gases with heat emitters of different materials and sizes using a thermoelectric generator

In this study, the electrical data of Thermoelectric Modules in different parameters were analyzed using natural gas boiler flue waste heat. For this purpose, the effect of emitters used in different sizes and arrangements in the cooling section of the modules on the electrical data was investigated. Emitter effects were investigated in Thermoelectric Generator systems created using high temperature resistant modules. The arrangement effect of emitters used in various sizes from 62 to 240 mm alloyed aluminum plate at different X and Y distances was investigated. It was determined that the electrical data of Thermoelectric Generators using emitters for all changed parameters were much higher than those without emitters. However, it was determined that the electrical data increased significantly with increasing emitter size and increasing X, Y distances between modules. It was determined that the electrical data difference was generally higher in the boiler operating period in all used parameters, and this data difference decreased as a result of the temperature difference in the interval when the boiler was off. According to the results where the 1.5 and 2 mm emitter thicknesses were also evaluated, it was determined that the 2 mm thick emitters provided better results, however, for higher thicknesses, especially during the boiler stop periods, thick emitters were disadvantageous. For the purpose of comparing different modules, the TEC-12706 module, known as Peltier in the market, which operates in the low temperature range, and the TGM-199-2.0-1.2 module, which is developed for electricity generation purposes and is resistant to high temperatures, were used. It was concluded that the data obtained from the TEC-12706 modules were higher than the TGM-199-2.1-1.2 modules at relatively low surface temperatures such as 76℃. It was determined that the electrical data drops were faster in the TEC-12706 module with the decreasing temperature difference. It was concluded that the TEC-12706 modules were more sensitive to the change of temperature differences or reacted faster. When the surface temperature exceeds 100℃, data reception from the TEC-12706 module is interrupted, while the TGM-199-2.1-1.2 modules continue to operate actively due to their resistance to high temperatures.