Miniature thermoelectric generators (TEG) with catalytic heating

Abstract

Modern fuel thermoelectric generators (TEG) are widely used in the range of 10-500 W. Chemical sources of current (CSC) that do not always satisfy consumers are used at lower powers. Negative factors are large weight, cost, self-discharge amount, problems in storage and maintenance at low temperatures. CSC manufacture is power-intensive, expensive and ecologically dangerous. That is why fuel TEGs capable of competing with CSCs are of interest. The paper is devoted to fuel TEGs on liquefied gas development for 10-100 mW power ranges. Small power heat sources have been developed on the catalytic counter-flow burner base which stably operates on gas and is suitable for continuous operation on a self-sufficiency basis. The catalytic burner feature at separated fuel and air supply is spontaneous burning resumption after short breaks in fuel supply, changes in air supply and combustion products discharge. The burner's temperature can be maintained within 250-400/spl deg/C. A high efficiency promoted catalyst with service life up to 10000 hours is used in heat sources. The use of results of a series research works in this direction ensured the development of such catalytic heat sources (CHS). TEGs design was made by the computer modelling. TEGs maximum is defined by the following optimizing parameters: a collector aerodynamic drag, burner-collector distance, fuel consumption, load impedance and thermoelectric battery properties.