Development for Advanced Thermoelectric Conversion Systems

ldquoDevelopment for advanced thermoelectric conversion systemsrdquo supported by the new energy and industrial technology development organization (NEDO) has been successfully completed as one of the Japanese national energy conservation projects. Three types of the cascaded thermoelectric modules operating up to 850 K in high electrode temperature and two types of Bi-Te thermoelectric modules operating at 523 K in maximum electrode temperature in consideration with the durability have been developed. In order to proceed to the practical phase four types of advanced thermoelectric power generation systems have been experimentally demonstrated for the waste heat recovery from the industrial electric heating furnace, the waste heat recovery using two types heat exchanger systems from the diesel engine co-generation system, the waste heat recovery from a large scale electric transformer, and the waste heat recovery from a projector lamp. Results of the experiments on the performance and durability for the advanced modules and for the demonstration systems are summarized.