International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 06 Issue: 10 | Oct 2019 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
© 2019, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 7.34 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 1103
Performance Study of the Thermo-Electric Generator in the Egyptian
Environment
Mohammed Araby
1
, Ayman Haggag
1
, Mostafa Eltokhy
1
, Ashraf Aboshosha
2
, and Sayed Zarrouk
3
1
Electronics Technology Department, Faculty of Industrial Education, Helwan University
2
NCRRT, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
3
Curricula and Methods of Teaching Industrial Education Department, Faculty of Education, Helwan University
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Abstract - This research work presents a study of applying
Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) in different regions in the
Egyptian environment. The difference in the temperatures
between the hot side and the cold side of the TEG generates
electricity with an efficiency that reaches about 5% of the
thermal energy. This study is beneficial for floating solar
stations where the solar energy is heating the hot side of the
TEG and the water surface (sea, lake or river) is cooling the
other side. Based on the mathematical model of the TEG
module, simulation is carried pit using MATLAB/Simulink to
elaborate its performance in different conditions. Throughout
the simulation, the performance of the TEG in Egyptian
different governorates with different sea and ambient
temperatures is tested and evaluated. Several advanced
applications of the use of TEG are proposed and discussed.
Key Words: TEG, Thermoelectric module, Thermoelectric
generator, Egyptian weather, Electrical energy
1. INTRODUCTION
Energy and economic systems always face the problem of an
increasing shortage in energy supplies. Many researchers are
working on enhancing the efficiency of renewable energy
sources such as solar energy, wind energy, and heat energy.
Our study is concerned with improving the efficiency of
converting heat energy into electric energy directly using the
thermo-electric effect and studying this application within
the Egyptian weather.
In the early 1800s the thermoelectric effect was discovered.
If a temperature gradient is applied to a junction of two
dissimilar materials, a voltage will be generated. With the
development of semiconductors, the thermoelectric turned
to be made of P-type and N-type semiconductors where the
bandgap and the carriers concentration could be optimized.
By connecting many thermocouples electrically in series and
thermally in parallel a thermoelectric module (TEM) as
shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 will be formed.
Fig - 1: Thermoelectric Generator (TEG)
Fig - 2: Thermoelectric module (TEM)
TEM devices can be classified into two types, TEG
(thermoelectric generator) which converts temperature
gradient to electric energy and TEC (thermoelectric cooler)
which converts electric energy to temperature gradient.
TEM is a solid-state energy converter where there is no
mechanical or moving parts and generates no noise,
moreover, it is reliable, compact and stable. However, the
main problem with the TEM is the low efficiency of energy
conversion [1].
Chengzhi Zheng et al in 2019 [2] developed a flexible self-
powered sensing element by integrating organic-transistor-
based chemical sensors with a flexible power supplier, and
an organic thermoelectric (OTE) generator. The constructed
OTE array mounted on a paper substrate shows a maximum
open-circuit voltage of 0.52 V and a maximum power output
of 0.32 µW. Notably, the device can be used to power organic
field-effect transistor-based gas sensors with ultralow
operating voltage.
Kyungwhan Yang et al in 2019 [3] proposed a thermoelectric
generator-coupled micro super capacitor (TEG-MSC)