Publication detail

Energy Harvesting Using Thermocouple and Compressed Air

BAYER, R. MAXA, J. ŠABACKÁ, P.

Original Title

Energy Harvesting Using Thermocouple and Compressed Air

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

In this paper, we describe the possibility of using the energy of a compressed air flow, where cryogenic temperatures are achieved within the flow behind the nozzle, when reaching a critical flow in order to maximize the energy gained. Compared to the energy of compressed air, the energy obtained thermoelectrically is negligible, but not zero. We are therefore primarily aiming to maximize the use of available energy sources. Behind the aperture separating regions with a pressure difference of several atmospheres, a supersonic flow with a large temperature drop develops. Based on the Seebeck effect, a thermocouple is placed in these low temperatures to create a thermoelectric voltage. This paper contains a mathematical-physical analysis for proper nozzle design, controlled gas expansion and ideal placement of a thermocouple within the flow for best utilization of the low temperature before a shockwave formation. If the gas flow passes through a perpendicular shockwave, the velocity drops sharply and the gas pressure rises, thereby increasing the temperature. In contrast, with a conical shockwave, such dramatic changes do not occur and the cooling effect is not impaired. This article also contains analyses for proper forming of the head shape of the thermocouple to avoid the formation of a detached shockwave, which causes temperature stagnation resulting in lower thermocouple cooling efficiency.

Keywords

Peltier-Seebeck effect; Laval nozzle; harvester thermocouple; conical shockwave; perpendicular; detached shockwave; energy harvesting

Authors

BAYER, R.; MAXA, J.; ŠABACKÁ, P.

Released

9. 9. 2021

Publisher

MDPI

Location

BASEL

ISBN

1424-8220

Periodical

SENSORS

Year of study

21

Number

18

State

Swiss Confederation

Pages from

1

Pages to

15

Pages count

14

URL

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/18/6031

Full text in the Digital Library

http://hdl.handle.net/11012/201675

BibTex

@article{BUT172563,
  author="Robert {Bayer} and Jiří {Maxa} and Pavla {Šabacká}",
  title="Energy Harvesting Using Thermocouple and Compressed Air",
  journal="SENSORS",
  year="2021",
  volume="21",
  number="18",
  pages="1--15",
  doi="10.3390/s21186031",
  issn="1424-8220",
  url="https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/18/6031"
}