Passive Power Generation and Heat Recovery from Waste Heat

This research presents a passive method of waste heat recovery and conversion to electricity using Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG). For this purpose, a lab scale bench-top prototype of waste heat recovery and conversion system was designed and fabricated. This bench top system consists of the thermoelectric generators (TEGs) sandwiched between two heat pipes, one connected to the hot side of the TEG and the second connected to the cold side of the TEG. A 2 kW electric heater was used to replicate the waste heat. An electric fan was used to provide air into the system. A theoretical model was developed to predict the system performance. The model was found in good agreement with the experimental data.