DESIGN, FABRICATION AND TESTING OF A CHIMNEY TO CONVERT THERMAL ENERGY TO ELECTRICAL ENERGY USING TEG’S

Abstract

As a result of depleting reserves of fossil fuels, conventional energy sources are becoming less available. In spite of this, energy is still being wasted, especially in the form of heat. The energy efficiency of the process may be increased through waste heat utilization, thereby resulting in primary energy savings. In any thermal industry there is generation of flue gases which holds significant amount of heat which could be recovered.

In this project our approach is to capture the heat from the flue gases which is being wasted otherwise. Our methodology includes the use of thermoelectric generator (TEG) modules to convert the waste heat directly into electrical power. These TEG modules are clamped onto the required region and a cooling system is provided on one side of the TEG module to produce electricity, which is then passed through a booster / joule thief circuit.

The thermoelectric generator provides electric power which may be used to operate the motor which drives the blower and also to charge a battery which is used when the furnace is started up. In the event that the power is interrupted, as occurs during storms or fault conditions in the public utility power distribution system, the furnace continues to run uninterruptedly. This high voltage output can thus be utilized for various purpose, thereby reducing the load on auxiliaries and increasing the overall efficiency