Design and Construction of a Waste Heat Recovery System for Electricity Generation

Abstract

Availability of electricity in remote areas such as forests and mountains is always doubtful because of various inconveniences caused by both the location and the atmosphere. The use of unconventional methods such as solar panels and generators when electricity is not reachable through transmission lines always clashes with nature in areas like dense forest areas, and noise or air pollution due to the generators in these areas, so a suitable solution is needed. A device running on solid state devices like a Peltier module can be handy as there is no need for solar rays, and it can provide noiseless energy as per the need with very little use of sources and with less or zero effect on nature. These elements work on the Seebeck effect, in which the difference between two dissimilar electrical conductors or semiconductors produces a voltage difference between the two substances. Peltier modules can run on the latent heat generated by the candles or campfires, and on the other side heat sink or chilled water/ice can be used for heat dissipation. By providing heating on one side and cooling on the other side, a temperature difference is created, which plays an important role in voltage generation. Generated voltages can be high or low depending on the needs of the user and the number of connected Peltier modules, but they can be controlled and stabilized with the help of DC choppers.