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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

economic justification, environmental justification, thermoelectric waste, heat recovery system

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

In recent years, the concepts of energy, energy production, effects of energy consumption on the environment, and sustainable development have become increasingly significant as members of society become more aware of their level of energy consumption. However, in energy production for home, commercial, or industrial use, up to 60 percent of the chemical energy potential (in the form of fossil or other fuels) is lost in the form of waste heat. In other words, when fossil or other fuels are burned, only 30 to 40 percent of the potential chemical energy is actually harnessed and converted into useful electricity! This occurs because of limitations on the efficiency of energy conversion systems. This truth in the energy production industry has led to an increasing focus on waste heat recovery technologies, or technologies that harness an additional portion of the heat generated from a fuel and convert it into electricity. One of these technologies is known as thermoelectric generation. A thermoelectric generator (a “TEG”) is a device, typically small (1-2 inches square, and less than ¼-inch thick) that converts heat directly into electricity.

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