Honors College Thesis
 

Power Generation via a Thermoelectric Generator Driven by a Reversible Exothermic Reaction

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/honors_college_theses/k643b798c

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  • Solar thermal energy can be stored and later converted to electrical energy using a combination of thermochemical energy storage (TCES) and a thermoelectric generator (TEG). This TEG and TCES combination illustrates a potential route for clean electricity storage from renewable energy. TCES allows for thermal energy from the sun to be stored as chemical energy that can then be utilized to generate electrical energy through a TEG device at a later time. While there are many methods of TCES, this paper presents a storage through a reusable porous matrix impregnated with CaCl2. The dehydration and hydration of CaCl2 within the matrix material provides a reversible thermochemical reaction for TCES. The dehydration of CaCl2 hexahydrate within the matrix material stores thermal energy; while, the hydration of anhydrous CaCl2 within the matrix material provides a heat input for the TEG device. The TEG principle of operation is based upon the Seebeck effect; a phenomenon that converts a temperature difference into a voltage difference to create power. Thus, the thermochemical reaction between CaCl2 and water creates a hot side for a temperature difference with the ambient cool side. In general, the Seebeck effect is inherently a weak thermoelectric effect; and it is for this reason that the TEG efficiency is very low as compared to a photovoltaic and battery storage system. Nevertheless, the TEG and TCES combination poses a cheaper and more scalable storage system that could still compete with the PV and battery storage system. In terms of cost analysis, TEGs are cheaper within low peak power but high storage capacity settings; this advantage makes the TEG and TCES combination comparable to that of the PV and battery storage system. Experimental investigation illustrated that the matrix material produced 0.6mW/g of power; this was then maintained for about 17 min before dropping to a negligible temperature difference. While this illustrates the low overall energy efficiency of a TEG and TCES storage system, the economic motivation behind this method is presented. With a long solar collection time, a high storage capacity, and a low TEG peak power, the TEG/TCES storage system could be beneficial. Within further investigations, utilizing a heat sink, exploring the cold side of the TEG, and considering a more insulated experimental set up could be beneficial for this proof of concept.
  • Key Words: energy storage, solar thermochemical, thermoelectric generator
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