TWI480565B - Simulation System of Thermoelectric Power Generation Performance - Google Patents

Description

Thermoelectric power generation performance simulation system

The present invention relates to an analog system, and more particularly to an analog system for thermoelectric power generation performance.

Due to the growing shortage of energy, the development of renewable energy technology has become an important issue today. For example, if waste heat can be used to generate electricity by means of thermoelectric power generation, recycling waste heat can be reused, which not only reduces energy consumption and Waste can also reduce the harm caused by waste heat to the environment.

The principle of thermoelectric power generation is mainly to use the thermoelectric effect of thermoelectric materials to generate electricity, that is, to generate current by using the temperature difference caused by the cold and heat sources provided, which is a power generation method capable of converting thermal energy into electric energy. The power generation efficiency of generating electricity by thermoelectric materials is closely related to the temperature and temperature difference between cold and heat sources. However, due to the lack of rapid detection of cold and heat sources, the application of thermoelectric power generation cannot be effective and correct. The combination of the thermoelectric materials used in the design and the use of the temperature difference between the cold and the heat source to generate electricity, resulting in the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation, therefore, the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation in practical applications is not as expected. Therefore, if it can simulate the environmental conditions of the actual application, and provide the cold and heat source Information such as temperature, temperature difference, and power generation efficiency is used as a basis for evaluation, and it will certainly help to promote the implementation and implementation of thermoelectric power generation.

The conventional thermoelectric power generation performance is detected by using an electronic heating plate to simulate a solid heat source, and the temperature of the heat source is controlled by adjusting the heating temperature of the electronic heating plate, and the cooling fin or the cooling water is used as a cooling source. And create a temperature difference environment of cold and heat sources.

However, the simulation method of the electronic heating plate is limited by the heating capacity of the device, and can only provide a simulation environment with a heat source temperature of about 200 ° C or less, and cannot be applied to the detection of the thermoelectric power generation efficiency in a high temperature environment. Furthermore, the simulation using an electronic heating plate makes it difficult to control the temperature of the cold source, and it is impossible to monitor the temperature and flow rate of the cooling water inlet and outlet, so that the temperature difference between the cold and the heat source cannot be accurately grasped and the thermoelectric material is optimized. the design of. In addition, heating with an electronic heating plate can only provide a simulation of the solid heat source. For the waste heat of the gaseous form derived from the high-heat process such as the steel industry, it is impossible to accurately know the benefits that can be achieved by using the thermoelectric power generation.

Based on the development and application of the above-mentioned thermoelectric power generation, how to simulate and evaluate different heat source temperatures and power generation efficiency to improve the waste heat recovery rate to achieve energy saving and carbon reduction is an important goal of the research.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a heat that can simulate different temperatures of cold and heat sources and provide information on the performance of thermoelectric power generation. Simulation system for electric power generation efficiency.

Therefore, the simulation system for thermoelectric power generation efficiency of the present invention comprises a heating unit, a gas passage, a thermoelectric conversion unit, and a detecting unit.

The heating unit is for heating a gas; the gas passage is connected to the heating unit and passes the heated gas.

The thermoelectric conversion element is disposed on an outer wall surface of the gas passage, and includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements connected to the outer wall surface, and a cooling cycle element connected to the thermoelectric elements, wherein the thermoelectric elements are used as a gas flowing through the gas passage The heat source uses the cooling cycle element as a cold source to generate electrical energy by utilizing the temperature difference effect between the cold and heat sources.

The detecting unit is connected to the thermoelectric conversion unit and is configured to measure the temperature of the cold and heat source received by the thermoelectric conversion unit, the heat flow rate, and the electrical signals generated by the thermoelectric elements.

Preferably, the simulation system of the thermoelectric power generation performance further includes a sensing unit for sensing the temperature and the flow rate of the gas, and includes a plurality of thermometers disposed on an inner wall surface of the gas passage, and a plurality of Flow rate pressure sensor on the inner wall of the gas passage.

Preferably, the aforementioned thermoelectric power generation performance simulation system, wherein the thermometers and the flow rate pressure sensors are disposed on the inner wall surface of the gas passage in a staggered manner.

Preferably, the simulation system for thermoelectric power generation performance further includes a signal processing unit electrically connected to the sensing unit and the detecting unit respectively. And a processor for receiving and recording the measurement result of the sensing unit and the detecting unit, and a display connected to the processor for displaying the measurement results.

Preferably, the aforementioned thermoelectric power generation performance simulation system, wherein the thermoelectric elements are arranged in an array and disposed on an outer wall surface of the gas passage.

Preferably, the aforementioned thermoelectric power generation simulation system, wherein the cooling cycle element comprises a storage tank storing a cooling liquid, a cooling pipe connected to the storage tank and disposed on a surface of the thermoelectric element away from the gas passage a road, and a pump for pumping the cooling liquid from the storage tank into the cooling line.

Preferably, the aforementioned thermoelectric power generation simulation system, wherein the cooling cycle element has a plurality of heat dissipation fins connected to the surfaces of the thermoelectric elements away from the gas passage and arranged at intervals.

Preferably, the thermoelectric power generation performance simulation system has an outer wall surface of the gas passage having a plurality of insertion holes, each of the thermoelectric elements having at least one heat absorbing sheet corresponding to each of the insertion holes, and a plurality of pieces A heat collecting fin that is connected to the heat absorbing sheet and arranged at intervals.

Preferably, the aforementioned thermoelectric power generation simulation system, wherein the cooling cycle element has a plurality of heat dissipation fins connected to the surfaces of the thermoelectric elements and arranged at intervals.

Preferably, the aforementioned thermoelectric power generation performance simulation system, wherein the temperature of the heat source is between 100 ° C and 800 ° C, and the temperature of the cold source is between 25 ° C To 100 ° C.

2‧‧‧heating unit

3‧‧‧ gas passage

31‧‧‧ inner wall

32‧‧‧ outer wall

33‧‧‧Insert hole

4‧‧‧Sensor unit

41‧‧‧ thermometer

42‧‧‧Flow pressure sensor

5‧‧‧Thermal conversion unit

51‧‧‧Thermal components

511‧‧‧heat absorbing film

512‧‧‧ collecting fins

513‧‧‧Thermal chip

52‧‧‧Cooling cycle components

521‧‧‧ storage tank

522‧‧‧Cooling line

523‧‧‧

524‧‧‧heat fins

6‧‧‧Detection unit

7‧‧‧Signal Processing Unit

71‧‧‧ Processor

72‧‧‧ display

Other features and effects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first preferred embodiment of the simulation system for thermoelectric power generation efficiency of the present invention; Is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the distribution of the sensing unit in the preferred embodiment; FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state of the cooling cycle element in the preferred embodiment; FIG. 4 is a side view Another aspect of the cooling cycle element of the preferred embodiment is illustrated; FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing a second preferred embodiment of the simulation system for thermoelectric power generation efficiency of the present invention; and FIG. 6 is an XY scatter diagram. The relationship between the flow rate of the liquid simulated in the preferred embodiment and the amount of power generation will be described.

Before the present invention is described in detail, it should be noted that in the following description, similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a first preferred embodiment of the simulation system for thermoelectric power generation performance of the present invention comprises a heating unit 2, a gas passage 3, a sensing unit 4, a thermoelectric conversion unit 5, and a detecting unit 6, And a signal processing unit 7.

The heating unit 2 is configured to heat a gas, the gas passage 3 is connected to the heating unit 2 and passes the heated gas, the gas passage 3 includes an inner wall surface 31 in contact with the passing gas, and a The outer wall surface 32 opposite to the inner wall surface 31.

The sensing unit 4 is configured to sense the temperature and flow rate of the gas, and includes a plurality of thermometers 41 disposed on the inner wall surface 31 of the gas passage 3, and a plurality of flow velocity feelings disposed on the inner wall surface 31 of the gas passage 3. The detectors 42 and the flow rate pressure sensors 42 are disposed on the inner wall surface 31 of the gas passage 3 in a staggered manner as shown in FIG. 2, and can be connected to the signal processing unit 7. Since the thermometer 41 and the flow velocity sensor 42 are disposed on the inner wall surface 31 of the gas passage 3 in a staggered and evenly distributed manner, the thermometer 41 and the flow velocity sensor 42 are respectively measured. The temperature value and the flow rate value are calculated to obtain an average value, and the temperature and flow rate of the gas flowing through the gas passage 3 can be accurately known.

Referring to FIG. 3, the thermoelectric conversion unit 5 is disposed on the outer wall surface 32 of the gas passage 3, and includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements 51 arranged in an array and disposed on the outer wall surface 32 of the gas passage 3, and a plurality of The surface of the thermoelectric element 51 is connected to a cooling cycle element 52. The cooling cycle element 52 includes a storage tank 521 for storing a cooling liquid, a communication with the storage tank 521, and a surface of the thermoelectric element 51 away from the outer wall surface 32. a cooling pipe 522, and a pump 523 for pumping the cooling liquid from the storage tank 521 into the cooling pipe 522, the pump 523 can pump the cooling The liquid circulates in the cooling line 522, the cooling liquid circulating in the cooling line 522 is used to form a cold source, and the temperature of the cold source is further regulated by the pump 523 controlling the liquid flow rate of the cooling liquid. The thermoelectric elements 51 use a gas flowing through the gas passage 3 as a heat source, and the cooling cycle element 52 serves as a cold source, and the electric energy is converted by the temperature difference effect between the cold and heat sources.

Preferably, the liquid flow rate of the cooling liquid is not more than 100 ml/s. More preferably, the temperature of the heat source is between 100 ° C and 800 ° C, the gas flow rate is not more than 4.4 m / s, the heat flux of the outer wall surface 32 of the gas passage 3 is not more than 6000 W / m ² , and the temperature of the cold source Between 25 ° C and 100 ° C.

In addition, referring to FIG. 4, the cooling cycle element 52 may also be a heat dissipation fin 524 having a plurality of materials and composed of a material having high heat conduction efficiency and connected to the surfaces of the thermoelectric elements 51 and arranged at intervals. The heat sink fins 524 increase the area in contact with the air to cause the heat to escape to form a cold source. Preferably, the heat dissipation fins 524 are made of a metal material.

The detecting unit 6 is connected to the thermoelectric conversion unit 5 and the signal processing unit 7 respectively, and is used for measuring the temperature of the cold and heat sources, the heat flow rate received by the thermoelectric conversion unit 5, and the electrical signals generated by the thermoelectric elements 51. For example, the detecting unit 6 may include a thermometer, a heat flow meter, and a telecommunication measuring device, and the temperature of the cold and heat sources of each of the thermoelectric elements 51 is measured by the thermometer, and the heat flow meter knows the The heat flux received by each of the thermoelectric elements 51 is used to measure the electrical signals generated by each of the thermoelectric elements 51 by the electrical signal measuring device. In addition, the detecting unit 6 can also be modified The series or parallel combination of the thermoelectric elements 51 is changed, or a variable resistor matched with the electrical signal measuring device is further added to regulate the power generation of the thermoelectric elements 51, and the thermoelectric power can be further measured. The optimum power generation of component 51.

The signal processing unit 7 is electrically connected to the sensing unit 4 and the detecting unit 6, respectively, and includes a processor 71 for receiving and recording the measurement results of the sensing unit 4 and the detecting unit 6, and The processor 71 is coupled to the display 72 for displaying the measurements.

Referring to FIG. 5, a second preferred embodiment of the simulation system for thermoelectric power generation performance of the present invention is substantially the same as the first preferred embodiment, except that in the second preferred embodiment, the gas passage 3 has a plurality of The insertion holes 33 are arranged in an array manner, and the thermoelectric elements 51 are respectively inserted into the insertion holes 33. Each of the thermoelectric elements 51 has a heat absorbing sheet 511 corresponding to each of the insertion holes 33, a plurality of heat collecting fins 512 connected to the heat absorbing sheet 511 and arranged at intervals, and at least one of the heat collecting fins 512 disposed at the interval The surface of the heat absorbing sheet 511 and the thermoelectric wafer 513 capable of generating electric energy can be converted by a temperature difference between the cold and heat sources.

In the second preferred embodiment, two thermoelectric wafers 513 respectively disposed on the surface of the heat absorbing sheet 511 are taken as an example, and the heat absorbing sheet 511 and the heat collecting fins 512 are integrated with a metal material. The heat absorbing sheet 511 is formed in a long plate shape, and the heat collecting fins 512 are connected to opposite sides of the heat absorbing sheet 511. In practical applications, the collector fins 512 are directly contacted with the heated gas to sufficiently collect the The heat energy of the gas is transferred to the thermoelectric wafers 513 through the heat absorbing sheet 511, and the heat sinks and the heat sinks are disposed on the surfaces of the thermoelectric wafers 513. The thermoelectric wafers 513 are caused to generate electrical energy.

In general, the performance of the thermoelectric power generation is increased as the temperature difference increases. Taking the first preferred embodiment as an example, if the cooling liquid in the cooling lines 522 uses a large liquid flow rate, it is cold. The temperature of the source is lowered, which should increase the temperature difference between the cold and heat sources to increase the power generation of the thermoelectric elements 51. However, it is worth noting that the amount of power generated by the thermoelectric elements 51 is not proportional to the flow rate of the cooling liquid. The size is mainly because when the flow rate of the cooling liquid is increased, the temperature of the heat source is also affected at the same time, and the temperature of the heat source is lowered, resulting in a decrease in the temperature difference between the cold and the heat source.

In addition, in the second preferred embodiment, the size or the number of the heat collecting fins 512 should be proportional to the temperature received by the thermoelectric wafers 513, that is, the area of the heat collecting fins 512 is larger. The higher the temperature, the higher the heat source temperature of the thermoelectric wafer 513, but the heat dissipation temperature of the heat sink 513 also affects the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation fins 524, that is, when the thermoelectric power generation is applied to When a heat source generating a large amount of heat is used, the area of the heat collecting fins 512 can be reduced or the number of the heat collecting fins 512 can be reduced so as not to affect the temperature of the cold source, thereby effectively increasing the temperature difference between the cold and the heat source. Further, the amount of power generated by the thermoelectric wafers 513 is increased.

The application of thermoelectric power generation to the temperature of the cold and heat sources in different environments or the number of the thermoelectric elements 51 to be used together is not easy to be optimized. The sensing unit 4 is used to know the temperature and flow rate of the gas, and cooperates with the detecting unit 6 to measure the temperature of the cold and heat source and the heat flow received by the thermoelectric conversion unit 5 . And the electrical signals generated by the thermoelectric elements 51, and can design and regulate various factors that affect the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric elements 51 according to the temperature of the cold and heat sources in different environments, such as designing the heat collecting fins. The size of the sheet 512 is adjusted as a heat source, or the mounting pitch and the number of the thermoelectric elements 51 are adjusted, so that the heat source is not easily dispersed due to the narrow installation pitch or the excessive number of the thermoelectric elements 51. Effective use.

In addition, the present invention can also provide various information such as cold, heat source temperature, temperature difference, heat flux, voltage and current amount, power generation amount, gas temperature and flow rate of each region of the thermoelectric conversion unit 5, and the like. The signal processing unit 7 can also record and store related information of the thermoelectric elements 51 during power generation.

In order to make the efficacy of the simulation system for thermoelectric power generation efficiency of the present invention clearer, a specific example will be further described.

<Specific example>

The specific example is simulated by the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the heat flux of the outer wall surface 32 of the gas passage 3 is 2000 W/m ² , 4000 W/m ² , and 6000 W/m ² , respectively. And the liquid flow rate of the cooling liquid is 20 ml/s, 40 ml/s, 60 ml/s, 80 ml/s, and 100 ml/s as simulation conditions, by measuring the thermoelectric elements 51 The amount of power generation is used to illustrate the advantages of the simulation system of the thermoelectric power generation efficiency of the present invention in practical applications.

Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a measurement result of liquid flow rate and power generation amount under different conditions in the specific example. From the relationship between the liquid flow rate and the power generation amount, it can be seen that the higher the heat flow rate, the power generation of the thermoelectric elements 51. The amount will also increase. However, it is worth noting that, taking the heat flux of 6000 W/m ² as an example, it is found that the amount of power generated by the thermoelectric elements 51 does not tend to linear with the increase of the liquid flow rate, and the liquid flow rate is controlled to be 80 ml. At /s, the amount of power generated by the thermoelectric generation is the maximum. Therefore, it is known that a heat flow rate of 6000 W/m ^{2 is} used as a heat source, and a liquid flow rate of 80 ml/s is required to be an optimum thermoelectric power generation condition.

The invention utilizes a large area and a gas heat source to simulate, not only the simulated heat source temperature can reach 800 ° C, but also can simultaneously measure the temperature of the cold source, thereby accurately calculating the temperature difference between the cold and the heat source, and then using the detection. Unit 6 knows the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation to design a thermoelectric power generation system with the best power generation efficiency as a basis for practical application evaluation. In addition, the thermal energy sources currently available to provide thermoelectric power generation systems are also quite extensive, and can come from a natural heat source or an unnatural heat source, such as solar heat energy, automobile waste heat, industrial waste heat, etc., wherein the steel industry belongs to a high heat process. In the process, many high-temperature exhaust gases will be derived. If the waste heat energy can be fully recovered and used to generate electricity, it can not only reduce production costs, but also reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and further achieve energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects.

In summary, the present invention further utilizes the simulation method to further grasp and confirm the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation, so as to strengthen the waste heat recovery technology and The waste heat recovery rate can be widely applied to different industries and fields, which not only can achieve environmental protection effects, but also can effectively improve the practical value of thermoelectric power generation, so it can achieve the object of the present invention.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, that is, the simple equivalent changes and modifications made by the patent application scope and patent specification content of the present invention, All remain within the scope of the invention patent.

2‧‧‧heating unit

3‧‧‧ gas passage

32‧‧‧ outer wall

5‧‧‧Thermal conversion unit

6‧‧‧Detection unit

7‧‧‧Signal Processing Unit

71‧‧‧ Processor

72‧‧‧ display

Claims (9)

A simulation system for thermoelectric power generation efficiency, comprising: a heating unit for heating a gas; a gas passage connected to the heating unit and passing the heated gas, wherein the outer wall surface of the gas passage has a plurality of insertions a thermoelectric conversion unit disposed on an outer wall surface of the gas passage, comprising a plurality of thermoelectric elements connected to the outer wall surface, and a cooling cycle element connected to the thermoelectric elements, the thermoelectric elements flowing through the gas The gas of the channel is used as a heat source, and the cooling cycle element is used as a cold source, and the electric energy is converted by the temperature difference effect between the cold and heat sources, wherein each of the thermoelectric elements has at least one correspondingly inserted in each of the gas channels. a heat absorbing sheet inserted into the hole, and a plurality of heat collecting fins connected to the heat absorbing sheet and spaced apart; and a detecting unit connected to the thermoelectric conversion unit and configured to measure the cold and heat source received by the thermoelectric conversion unit Temperature, heat flow, and electrical signals generated by such thermoelectric elements. The simulation system for thermoelectric power generation efficiency according to claim 1, further comprising a sensing unit for sensing a temperature and a flow rate of the gas, comprising a plurality of thermometers disposed on an inner wall surface of the gas passage, and a plurality of settings A flow rate pressure sensor on the inner wall of the gas passage. A simulation system for thermoelectric power generation efficiency according to claim 2, wherein The thermometer and the flow rate pressure sensor are disposed on the inner wall surface of the gas passage in a staggered manner. The simulation system for thermoelectric power generation performance according to claim 2, further comprising a signal processing unit electrically connected to the sensing unit and the detecting unit, respectively, comprising: a receiving unit and a detecting unit A processor that measures the result and a display coupled to the processor for displaying the measurements. The simulation system for thermoelectric power generation efficiency according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric elements are arranged in an array and disposed on an outer wall surface of the gas passage. The simulation system of thermoelectric power generation efficiency according to claim 5, wherein the cooling cycle element comprises a storage tank storing a cooling liquid, a storage tank connected to the storage tank and disposed on a surface of the thermoelectric element away from the gas passage. a cooling line, and a pump for extracting the cooling liquid from the storage tank into the cooling line. The simulation system for thermoelectric power generation efficiency according to claim 5, wherein the cooling cycle element has a plurality of heat dissipating fins which are connected to the surfaces of the thermoelectric elements away from the gas passage and are arranged at intervals. The simulation system for thermoelectric power generation efficiency according to claim 1, wherein the cooling cycle element has a plurality of fins connected to the surfaces of the thermoelectric elements and arranged at intervals. The simulation system for thermoelectric power generation efficiency according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the heat source is between 100 ° C and 800 ° C, and the temperature of the cold source is between 25 ° C To 100 ° C.