Iron-Based Element for Low Temperature Thermoelectric Generator

Article ID

96BEN41006

Title

Iron-Based Element for Low Temperature Thermoelectric Generator

低温用鉄系熱電変換素子

Author(s)

Katsutoshi ONO
Ryosuke O. SUZUKI
Ryoichi NAKAHASHI
Masahiro SHODA

小野勝敏
鈴木亮輔
中橋良一
正田雅裕

Publication/Publisher

Tetsu-to-Hagane, Vol. 83, No.2, pp. 157-161, 1997.

鉄と鋼, 第83巻第2号, 157-161頁, 1997年

Abstract

Direct conversion of low temperature waste heat source into electrical energy with thermoelements is an interesting and challenging problem. In this study, the thermocouple consisting of a junction between Fe and Fe-7～ 12mass%Al alloy has been developed. The uni-couple exhibits the power of 40microV/K at room temperature which is equivalent to that for the junction between Cu and Constantant. The iron and iron-aluminum alloy may be of great significance as materials for low temperature thermoelectric energy conversion because of their abundant production. Electric power generating facility using the iron and iron-based devices may have definite advantages: It has no moving parts and requires very little attention. It cannot wear out. Therefore, the determining factor of the possible use of thermoelectric generator is its efficiency. So, the latter half of this paper has been focused on the possibility to convert low temperature heat source into useful power with high efficiency. Recovery of electricity was discussed on the basis of a thermoelectric generator of the heat exchanger type in which the heat transferred by conduction through a energy panel consisted of a series of thermoelectric elements is accumulated in the air circulating as coolant and recycled as a heat source for the use to a subsequent thermoelectric panel.