Thermal analysis of thermo electric generator for waste heat recovery

The thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are used to generate electric power. Thermo electric modules which are used in TEGs are utilized to change the thermal energy into electrical energy and it operates on the basic concept of See beck effect. Power generation by Thermo-Electric (TE) materials is an interesting method for the direct translation of thermal energy into electrical energy. This work discovers a method of analysis on the performance of TEGs with different materials for recovering the waste heat and converts it into electric power. For this, an experimental setup for waste heat recovery and energy conversion equipment was designed and fabricated. The TEGs made by Bismuth Telluride (Bi₂Te₃), Lead Telluride (PbTe), and Silicon Germanium (SiGe) are taken for the performance analysis. From these above-mentioned TE materials, the Bismuth Telluride (Bi₂Te₃) has better performance when compared with others within a temperature span that is most appropriate for cooling and heating utilities.