A Low-Power Thermoelectric Power Generation System Based on a Periodic Thermoelectric Power Generation Method in the Form of Heat Pulses

In today's increasingly serious energy problems, thermoelectric power generation is now widely used as one of the cleanest energy conversion methods. In this paper, we proposed a way of generating thermoelectric power periodically in the form of heat pulses and design an experimental system with low power consumption of fan blades. In contrast to conventional thermoelectric power generation with continuous contact with the heat source, this method maintains the temperature gradient between the hot and cold sides at a larger value for a longer period using periodic contact of the thermoelectric generator (TEG) with the surface of the heat source in the form of heat pulses. So it enhances the efficiency of thermoelectric power generation. The output power of the heat-pulsed thermoelectric power generation from a single TEG with heat sink is 19.81mW with an efficiency of 6.05%, which is an improvement of 23% and 10.8% over the conventional method. The whole system has an output power of 63.3mW, an improvement of 293%. This clean and efficient new type of TEG system can be widely used in the future in areas such as petrochemical waste heat treatment and self-supply of energy for Internet of Things (IoT) sensors.